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Nat
How to Pronounce Nat
Pronounced NAT /ΛnΓ¦t/Medium
Meaning: Nat is a classic short form of Nathaniel or Nathan, both from the Hebrew root natan, 'to give' β Nathaniel meaning 'God has given' and Nathan 'gift.' Long used as a friendly stand-alone name, Nat has a warm, old-fashioned, everyman quality across more than a century of American life.Medium
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Nat is Nathaniel or Nathan worn easily. Both parent names come from Hebrew natan, 'to give': Nathaniel is 'God has given,' Nathan simply 'gift.' As a stand-alone name Nat has an unpretentious, old-fashioned charm, and it has appeared steadily on American records since the eighteen-hundreds, a true everyman classic.
Because its span reaches from the nineteenth century to today, Nat belongs to no single generation β it reads at once as a great-grandfather's name and, with the strong revival of Nathan and Nathaniel, a plausible fresh short form for a new baby. Nat King Cole ensures it will always carry a note of mid-century warmth.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
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Nat King Cole (1919β1965)American jazz pianist and singer, one of the most beloved vocalists of the mid-twentieth century.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Nat mean?
Nat is a short form of Nathaniel ('God has given') or Nathan ('gift'), both from the Hebrew root natan, 'to give.'
How do you pronounce Nat?
It's said NAT β one syllable, rhyming with cat.
Is Nat a boy or girl name?
Nat is used mainly as a boy's name.
Is Nat making a comeback?
With Nathan and Nathaniel strongly popular, this warm short form is a plausible fresh choice, though still uncommon on its own.