Best 100 Middle Names For Nathan in 2023
Nathan is a biblical name that is a little more casual than Nathaniel, but slightly more formal than the short name Nate. This handsome name has been a favorite among parents for years and we can see why.
If you’re considering naming your son Nathan, we’ve gathered the best middle names for Nathan below.
Meaning of the Name Nathan
Nathan is derived from the Hebrew name נָתָן (Natan) meaning “he gave.”
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Pronunciation | nay-th-an |
Best Middle Names for Nathan
Whether you’re looking for a traditional middle name or something more unique, we’ve put together a list of some great options here.
- Nathan Aaron
- Nathan Abraham
- Nathan Alec
- Nathan Alexander
- Nathan Alistair
- Nathan Andrew
- Nathan Anthony
- Nathan Archer
- Nathan Asher
- Nathan Augustus
- Nathan Beckett
- Nathan Benjamin
- Nathan Blaise
- Nathan Blake
- Nathan Brent
- Nathan Briggs
- Nathan Cade
- Nathan Caleb
- Nathan Cameron
- Nathan Chandler
- Nathan Charles
- Nathan Christopher
- Nathan Conner
- Nathan Cyrus
- Nathan Daniel
- Nathan Deacon
- Nathan Declan
- Nathan Dexter
- Nathan Dominic
- Nathan Donovan
- Nathan Edward
- Nathan Elias
- Nathan Elijah
- Nathan Elliott
- Nathan Emmanuel
- Nathan Everett
- Nathan Ezekiel
- Nathan Felix
- Nathan Finn
- Nathan Forrest
- Nathan Frederick
- Nathan Gabriel
- Nathan Geoffrey
- Nathan George
- Nathan Gideon
- Nathan Gregory
- Nathan Hans
- Nathan Harrison
- Nathan Heath
- Nathan Henry
- Nathan Holden
- Nathan Isaac
- Nathan Isaiah
- Nathan Jackson
- Nathan James
- Nathan Jasper
- Nathan Jedidiah
- Nathan Jeremy
- Nathan Joseph
- Nathan Joshua
- Nathan Josiah
- Nathan Jude
- Nathan Julian
- Nathan Lachlan
- Nathan Leonard
- Nathan Levi
- Nathan Lionel
- Nathan Logan
- Nathan Lucas
- Nathan Malachi
- Nathan Marshall
- Nathan Matthew
- Nathan Maverick
- Nathan Maxwell
- Nathan Micah
- Nathan Michael
- Nathan Nicholas
- Nathan Nolan
- Nathan Oliver
- Nathan Orlando
- Nathan Owen
- Nathan Patrick
- Nathan Phillip
- Nathan Raphael
- Nathan Reid
- Nathan Riley
- Nathan Ronan
- Nathan Samuel
- Nathan Scott
- Nathan Seth
- Nathan Theodore
- Nathan Thomas
- Nathan Timothy
- Nathan Tobias
- Nathan Walter
- Nathan Weston
- Nathan William
- Nathan Wyatt
- Nathan Xavier
- Nathan Zachary
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How To Pick a Middle Name
Do You Need A Middle Name?
In short, no. You do not need to give your child a middle name. You can choose to only give your child a first name and last name. There are no laws or requirements in regard to middle names.
However, according to research in the European Journal of Social Psychology, using middle initials in your name increases people’s perception of your intelligence.
Providing your child with a middle name will help differentiate them from others who share their same name. It also gives them a second option. Some children choose to go by their middle names instead of their first names as they grow older.
We all know how important it is to find the perfect name for our children. But did you know that in some cultures, middle names can be used as a way to give your child an additional identity? A new connection with their family history or heritage.
Here we will explore the things you should consider when giving your children a middle name!
Family Names
A child’s middle name is a great way to honor a beloved family member. It could be someone who has passed or a living family member who means a lot to the parents. Middle names don’t need to be gender-specific, so this could be a good place to include male or female family members.
Some parents like to include family surnames, such as the mother’s maiden name, as a middle name. This allows both sides of the family to pass down their name to the child. Any name that is meaningful to the family can make a nice middle name.
Flow and Initials
Probably the most important thing parents think of when choosing their child’s name is how it all sounds together. The first, middle, and last name should flow nicely together.
Many popular middle names are short, one or two syllable names because they pair well with most first names.
If family members speak another language or have an accent, take into consideration how everyone will be pronouncing the names when determining how they fit together
Monograms are popular in Southern culture, but it is still helpful to consider your child’s initials regardless of where you live.
Monograms for women are typically in the order of first name initial, large last name initial, and then middle name initial.
For men, the initials are usually in order of first, middle, and then last name. Avoid spelling out unfortunate words with the initials.
Middle names and their initials can also be used for nicknames. For example, Mary Elizabeth can be shortened to Mary Beth. Or, Elizabeth Zoe can be shortened to the initials E. Z. As a nickname.
If you just can’t narrow it down to a first name and a middle name, you can always include multiple middle names. In the United States, most people only have one middle name, but it is common around the world to have two or more.
It is recommended not to add too many middle names though. Most paperwork only leaves a spot for a single middle name or initial and multiple names can lead to confusion.
Special Meanings
A child’s middle name is a great way to pay homage to anything that holds special meaning to the parents. Some inspiration for names includes:
- Influential people in your life
- Characters from books, movies, or television
- Locations that hold memories
- Languages that are important to the family
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First Name for Middle Name Nathan
If you’re considering Nathan as a middle name, we’ve put together a list of some great first name options here.
- Alexander Nathan
- Andrew Nathan
- Ashter Nathan
- Beckham Nathan
- Bodhi Nathan
- Bradley Nathan
- Brandon Nathan
- Caleb Nathan
- Cameron Nathan
- Charles Nathan
- Cooper Nathan
- Curtis Nathan
- Daniel Nathan
- Dexter Nathan
- Dominic Nathan
- Dylan Nathan
- Edward Nathan
- Elliott Nathan
- Emmett Nathan
- Everett Nathan
- Geoffrey Nathan
- Giovanni Nathan
- Gunner Nathan
- Hendrix Nathan
- Henry Nathan
- Hunter Nathan
- Isaac Nathan
- Jasper Nathan
- Jeremy Nathan
- Jonah Nathan
- Joseph Nathan
- Joshua Nathan
- Jude Nathan
- Julian Nathan
- Leon Nathan
- Liam Nathan
- Lucas Nathan
- Malcolm Nathan
- Marcus Nathan
- Mark Nathan
- Matthew Nathan
- Michael Nathan
- Miles Nathan
- Milo Nathan
- Mitchell Nathan
- Nicholas Nathan
- Noah Nathan
- Oliver Nathan
- Otto Nathan
- Patrick Nathan
- Paul Nathan
- Phillip Nathan
- Phoenix Nathan
- Richard Nathan
- Ryder Nathan
- Roger Nathan
- Russell Nathan
- Samuel Nathan
- Sebastian Nathan
- Silas Nathan
- Spencer Nathan
- Theodore Nathan
- Thomas Nathan
- Timothy Nathan
- Trevor Nathan
- Vincent Nathan
- Wesley Nathan
- Wyatt Nathan
- Zachary Nathan
Nicknames for Nathan
- Nan
- Nat
- Nate
- Nath
- Nats
- Nattey
- Natty
- Nay-Nay
- Tanner
- Tate
- Than
- Thanny
- Thanos
Variations of Nathan
- Natan (Biblical Hebrew)
- Neizan (Spanish)
- Nosson (Yiddish)
Names Similar to Nathan
- Aaron
- Adam
- Andrew
- Benjamin
- Brandon
- Caleb
- Cameron
- Christopher
- Daniel
- David
- Ethan
- Evan
- Gregory
- Henry
- Isaac
- Jacob
- James
- Joshua
- Kevin
- Kyle
- Lucas
- Luke
- Matthew
- Michael
- Nathaniel
- Nicholas
- Noah
- Owen
- Paul
- Robert
- Ryan
- Samuel
- Seth
- Thomas
- Timothy
- William
- Zachary
Sibling Boy Names that go with Nathan
- Nathan and Abraham
- Nathan and Alan
- Nathan and Andrew
- Nathan and Astor
- Nathan and Benjamin
- Nathan and Bennett
- Nathan and Bradley
- Nathan and Calvin
- Nathan and Conner
- Nathan and Declan
- Nathan and Dylan
- Nathan and Elias
- Nathan and Emmett
- Nathan and Flynn
- Nathan and Graham
- Nathan and Gunner
- Nathan and Henry
- Nathan and Holden
- Nathan and Isaac
- Nathan and Jackson
- Nathan and Jasper
- Nathan and Kevin
- Nathan and Levi
- Nathan and Liam
- Nathan and Lucas
- Nathan and Maddox
- Nathan and Mason
- Nathan and Miles
- Nathan and Ned
- Nathan and Nolan
- Nathan and Oliver
- Nathan and Owen
- Nathan and Parker
- Nathan and Ronan
- Nathan and Samuel
- Nathan and Sebastian
- Nathan and Silas
- Nathan and Thomas
- Nathan and Victor
- Nathan and Wesley
Sibling Girl Names that go with Nathan
- Nathan and Amelia
- Nathan and Audrey
- Nathan and Beatrice
- Nathan and Bridget
- Nathan and Charlotte
- Nathan and Christina
- Nathan and Claire
- Nathan and Danielle
- Nathan and Delphine
- Nathan and Elise
- Nathan and Elizabeth
- Nathan and Emily
- Nathan and Frances
- Nathan and Gabrielle
- Nathan and Grace
- Nathan and Hannah
- Nathan and Hazel
- Nathan and Isabella
- Nathan and Ivy
- Nathan and Jacqueline
- Nathan and Jasmine
- Nathan and Juliet
- Nathan and Kendall
- Nathan and Layla
- Nathan and Lillian
- Nathan and Marie
- Nathan and Natalie
- Nathan and Nora
- Nathan and Olivia
- Nathan and Penelope
- Nathan and Poppy
- Nathan and Rose
- Nathan and Ruby
- Nathan and Scarlett
- Nathan and Sophia
- Nathan and Tabitha
- Nathan and Trinity
- Nathan and Victoria
- Nathan and Whitney
- Nathan and Zoe
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History of the Name Nathan
In the Old Testament, Nathan is a prophet during the reign of King David. In Samuel 12:1-15, Nathan is sent to David to chastise him for his adultery with Bathsheba and for arranging to have Bathsheba’s husband Uriah killed.
Nathan also appears in the Kings and Chronicles. He helped campaign for Solomon as David’s successor.
Nathan was also the name of one of King David’s and Bathsheba’s sons.
Nathan has been used as a Christian given name since the Protestant Reformation.
According to the Social Security Administration, Nathan has been on the popular boy’s naming chart since the government started keeping track of names. Quite popular in the early 1900s, the name slightly declined to see its worst year thus far in 1947. Ranking in the 273rd spot, it started to climb the charts again.
In 1972, Nathan became a top 100 boy’s name and has maintained that position since. As of 2021, Nathan ranks as the 59th most popular boy’s name in the United States.
Famous People with the Name Nathan
| Nathan | a prophet who lived in the time of Kings David and Solomon |
| Nathan | son of King David and Bathsheba |
| Nathan of Gaza | 17th century prophet |
| Nathan Adrian | American swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist |
| Nate Archibald | American basketball player for the Cincinnati Royals, Kansas City-Omaha Kings, and Boston Celtics |
| Nathan Chen | American figure skater and 2018 Olympic bronze medalist |
| Nathan Cottrell | American football player for the Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Nathan “Nate” Diaz | American mixed martial artist and UFC fighter |
| Nathan Peterman | American football player for the Las Vegas Raiders |
| Nathan Stewart-Jarrett | British actor in the television series Utopia |
Fictional Characters Named Nathan
| Nathan Bailey | a character in the British soap opera Doctors |
| Nathan Cuddington | a character in the British Soap opera Brookside |
| Nathan Detroit | a character in the stage musical and film Guys and Dolls |
| Nathan Drake | a character in the video game Uncharted |
| Nathan Petrelli | a character in the NBC science fiction series Heroes |
| Nathan Prescott | a character in the video game Life Is Strange |
| Nathan Roberts | a character in the Australian soap opera Home and Away |
| Nathan Sallery | a character in the British soap opera Doctors |
| Nathan Scott | a character in the television series One Tree Hill |
| Nathan Sears | a character in the film Final Destination 5 |
| Nathan Stark | a character in the television series Eureka |
| Nathan Summers | a Marvel Comic Book character |
| Nathan Williams | a character in the British Soap opera EastEnders |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nathan a biblical name?
Yes. Nathan appears in the Old Testament as a prophet during the reign of King David. Nathan is also the name of one of King David and Bathsheba’s sons.
What are nicknames for Nathan?
The most popular nickname for Nathan is Nate. Some other possible nicknames include Nats, Nattey, Natty, Than, and Thanos.
Is Nathan a popular name?
Since the United States started keeping track of names, Nathan has never dropped below a top 300 boy’s name. Over the years it has gone up and down in popularity, but remains a favorite choice among parents. As of 2021, Nathan ranks as the 59th most popular boy’s name in America.
Final Thoughts on Middle Names for Nathan
Nathan is a name that is familiar and recognizable as a favorite choice among parents for years. It is a great biblical name option with a little less formality than names like Ezekiel, Jedediah, and Tobias. It’s also a great alternative to more popular biblical names like Daniel or Jacob.
If you’re considering naming your baby boy Nathan, we hope our list of middle names has been useful.
MORE MIDDLE NAME IDEAS
Now that you’ve seen all the middle name ideas for Nathan, you might want to check out some middle name ideas for these similar names!
- Middle Names for Andrew
- Middle Names for Caleb
- Middle Names for Connor
- Middle Names for David
- Middle Names for Isaiah
- Middle Names for Noah
- Middle Names for Ryan
- Middle Names for Samuel
If you’re looking for more middle name ideas, you can find all our lists in our Middle Names section.
For more baby name ideas and inspiration head over to our Baby Names section.
Krissy lives in California with her family of three that make up “The Hadicks.” With a passion for research and helping others, The Hadicks was developed as a resource for other parents and parents-to-be!