Can Nathan be a nickname for Jonathan?

fruitpudding1696

We have just started thinking of names for our little one. I'm only about 9 weeks along now. My husband likes the name Nathan but I don't really like it for a first name. I think it would be better as a nn. I know Nathan is usually a nn for Nathaniel but I don't wouldn't really prefer that as a first name either. So what are your honest opinions? Would people think Nathan is weird nn for Jonathan?

bbiutmcph

It's not very natural but I guess not horrible

MelissaM090

I wouldn't. I think Nathan is fine as a standalone.

scotten

I wouldn't consider Nathan a nn at all. Nate or Jon are nn's... not Nathan.

nurse714

A nn can be anything, but I find Nathan a weird nn because it's a real name. If you don't like Nathan as a first name, why would you want to call him that?

fruitpudding1696

Thanks all for your input I was thinking most people would say no. We were thinking it wasn't a great idea either. We've still got plenty of time to think about other names
nurse714 it's not really that I don't like it as a first name. It's really nice. But the name I'd want on the birth certificate would be more of a family name. Jonathan is a family name in our family but Nathan is not. Though I'd like to keep to family names I doubt that will end up happening

g8trkim

nurse714 said:

A nn can be anything, but I find Nathan a weird nn because it's a real name. If you don't like Nathan as a first name, why would you want to call him that?

Ditto all of this.

Sassenach1743

Nathan is its own name. 

If you want to keep Jonathan on the birth certificate, and in the family, then middle name it and choose a new first name.