Holding steady.
Popularity of Nat since 1880
Babies named Nat per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1915, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Nat's real moment was 1894.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 108 |
| 1890s | 125 |
| 1900s | 117 |
| 1910s | 444 |
| 1920s | 353 |
| 1930s | 241 |
| 1940s | 220 |
| 1950s | 216 |
| 1960s | 183 |
| 1970s | 94 |
| 1980s | 34 |
| 1990s | 17 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Nat is a classic short form that has been in use since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security data. It reached its peak popularity in 1894, when it ranked highest among recorded years. While it has never been extremely common, its stable trajectory over the decades shows consistent, if modest, use as an independent name. Nat fits neatly into the category of traditional nicknames that have stood the test of time, offering a simple, friendly alternative to the longer forms Nathan and Nathaniel.
Nat is a diminutive of Nathan or Nathaniel, both from Hebrew 'natan' meaning 'he gave'. Nathan appears in the Old Testament as a prophet during King David's reign, while Nathaniel is a New Testament figure. The nickname Nat gained independent use in the 19th century.
Sibling names for Nat
Names that share Nat's style, for a brother or sister.
