Poll: How many Nathans do you personally know?

MamaSquishyB · June 2016

DH and I have only 1 name we've agreed on so far for DS 2 (due in Sept): Nathan. It's not set in stone yet, but we wanted something that was easy to pronounce and recognize, but not super common. I didn't know any kids named Nathan... Until about a week ago. Now they're popping up everywhere! I heard it on tv, saw 2 at the peds clinic where I work, a Facebook friend just named their newborn, and a lady from church is planning to name their baby (due in January) Nathan. It's making me flip out. I don't want our baby to have the same name as 10 other kids in his class. Am I being irrational, or has there been a sudden upsurge in the name? How many Nathans do you PERSONALLY know?

bbiutmcph · June 2016

Fwiw anytime we have picked a name for the next month or so I would always hear it. My kids have names that tank above 1000, above 500 and then just below 100. In reality IRL everyday we don't know anyone with their names.

Nathan is great!

SmrBrd2012 · June 2016

I know 2 but they're in their 30s. I love the name. It was almost the name of our son.

nlwz123 · June 2016

Hey, I named my son Nathan. Good choice. I personally only know 2 Nathans other than my son. I'll bet the name seems to be popping up more now just because you have the name "Nathan" on the mind. I don't really think the name is "trending" at the moment, though.

Bringmemylongswordho · June 2016

		Nathan (Boy)		Nathani. (Boy)
Year	%	No. of Babies Given Name	Popul. Rank	No. of Babies Given Name	Popul. Rank
2015		8,530	38	4,176	97
2014		8,937	38	4,288	94
2013		9,690	31	4,512	91
2012		10,406	29	4,771	84
2011		10,496	28	4,967	84
2010		11,367	27	5,094	82
2009		12,113	25	5,420	75
2008		13,250	21	5,847	77
2007		13,584	24	6,055	82
2006		14,270	23	6,620	69
2005		14,351	20	6,678	69.

kmvisioli · June 2016

I'm sure it's the same as when you choose a new car and suddenly see that model all over the place. I only know 2, both in the late 20s-early 30s age range. Stick with it!

Bringmemylongswordho · June 2016

Numbers!

As you see, Nathan and Nathaniel are actually trending down. You as an individual feel like you're hearing it everywhere is known as the Baader-Meinhoff phenomenon.

sldp123 · June 2016

I love Nathan, but it is BIL's name, so we can't use it. I know three Nathans, but they are all in their 30s. I don't know any children named Nathan.

MamaWren919 · June 2016

I only know 3 or 4 and I've taught elem school for 10 years. Any time you pick a name you will suddenly start seeing it everywhere. Just how it goes. :-/

jenna8984 · June 2016

I clicked 3-4 but they are all adults over 30 years old. And most of them are Nathaniel. I actually love the name and only reason I couldn't use it was because 2 of those 4 that I know were ex's hahahah.

emilyray14 · June 2016

I know 2 but they are both in their 20s. It's a great name! Use it!

mrsdudeandkids · June 2016

2. An adult male close to 40, and a teenager.

MandyBeeSLP · June 2016

I think Nathan is a great name!

Have you ever heard of Baader-Meinhoff phenomenon? It's when you get, or hear about, or see something and then it keeps popping up after that. It happens to me when I get a new car. Suddenly I see that car everywhere! It's just a greater awareness of it that makes it seem that way though.

momma2char · July 2016

I absolutely love the name Nathan! I know 3, but they're all in their 20s.

fiscally3 · July 2016

I think it's pretty common for it to suddenly pop up, I know more Nathaniels than Nathan's.

Right after my oldest was born there was a law & order marathon where every criminal had my son's name.

ashleaf2018 · July 2016

I know one baby named Nathan, but he was named after his dad. I only know 2 adults named Nathan. And just because a name looks popular based on numbers doesn't mean it's going to be popular in your area; some names are very regional. If you love it, I say go for it. It's a good, solid name.

Nelbetron · July 2016

All Nathans I know are late 20s, early 30s. Would it be Nathaniel nn Nathan? I really like it!

SuperDooper2006 · July 2016

I've taught first grade for 11 years and I've only taught 1 Nathan.

oneblessedmess · July 2016

Just one and he's in his 20s.

blondehairblueeyeditalianbaby · July 2016

Nathan is my brothers name and he is in his early 20's. He was named after a friend who is in his 40's. I have been a teacher for 10 years and have only had one student named Nathan. If our last baby had been a boy we were going to use it in the mn spot. I like it and don't see it trending right now.

MamaSquishyB · July 2016

Thanks for all the reassurances! I think we're going to go for it. It won't be Nathaniel, just simply Nathan, because our last name is an ethnic 4-syllable mouthful. I don't want him to take an hour to tell everyone his name! ;-)

FluffleSprout · July 2016

The only Nathans I know are older kids or adults. I had the exact same thing happen when we chose a name (ranked in the 400s) and I heard it popping up all over. Your brain is probably really attuned to the word right now. I'd consider Nathan a well known but not a common name.