Another nickname vs formal name discussion

[flannelfish]

Due in few months. Our favourite name is Kitty. Have loved it for ages but do have slight reservation that it is a bit of a nickname (but not fussed about cat connotations!). Don't really see the point in putting a formal name on birth certificate though if it's not going to be used and although I like the name Katherine, it wouldn't be up there with my faves.

Other names we quite like are:
Harriet (but surname begins with R so bit of a mouthful?)
Lois
Elizabeth
Susannah

Any thoughts on concerns above or any other suggestions for names??

[MamaG]

Oh I like Kitty, but I also like Catherine (spell it correctly please )

[GoldenSnitch]

I'm currently trying to convince DH that we should call imminent BabySnitch Catherine with Kitty/Katie as a NN. I think it's beautiful

Kitty is cute for a little girl but IMO it's too baby-ish for a grown up.

[Cortina]

Another for Catherine on birth cert but Kitty in daily life.

Or Carine (as in Carine Roitfield, or a 'French' Carine), Kitty for short?

[jellybeans]

I would just go with Kitty. I know 2, one a child and one a retired doctor, both are simply, Kitty. I don't see the point in giving them a name they will never use. I can imagine it is confusing being addressed differently at the doctors etc.

My name has 3 shortenings, I only ever went by one of these and never use the longer one, it seems to formal, even for work etc. My son has a short version of a name, I don't regret it, people hated the long versions and we feared he would get teased for an old fashioned name.

I don't see short names as nn anyway, that is more Shaz and Daz type of names. Most names began as others, few people use names in their original forms, most have been changed ie few people use Benyamin but loads use Ben or Benjamin. If you look in the top 100 names for the last few years, shortened forms are as popular, if not more so, than many of their longer forms, eg loads of just Sams, Alexs etc. Loads of Alfies and very few Alfreds, so by the time our DC are adults there will be loads of people with short names/nn.

[flannelfish]

Hmmm still thinking will just be Kitty. Think with names like Sam/Samuel and Ben/Benjamin it makes sense to have full name too but Katherine/Katharine/Catherine is quite a long way from Kitty and if we went for Catherine, which actually is my preferred spelling, you even have a different initial. Bit confusing.

I do know a Kitty in her 30s and I always think that's a cool name for someone our age.

[nickytwotimes]

Catherine/Katherine/Kathryn for the birth cert, Kitty in real life. Best of both.
She might be a solicitor or an accountant or Prime Minister and want the option of a 'proper' name.
Kitty is lovely, but not a business name, iyswim?

[mathanxiety]

Catherine with an R surname has the same problem as Harriet. She would really have to be known as Kitty or another variant to make the surname work. I don't think it really matters whether you spell the birth cert name with a C or a K if you're shortening it to a diminutive that begins with K.

[flannelfish]

Yes I agree - is perfectly acceptable 'business name'. I think there are lots of names that are popular now that you can't imagine on an older woman just because there aren't many around now but in 30 years time, there will obviously be a few more and some of them might even make it to be professionals!

Thanks mathanxiety - Catherine with our surname isn't that great - hadn't really thought of it!

[BiancaJackson]

Kitty is fine. Love all your other names, too.

[Cortina]

Love Kitty, Harriet and Susannah. Susannah is under used I think given its classic loveliness (mentioned on my thread about names that are surprisingly uncommon).

[GrendelsMum]

No, I really would give her the option.

Kitty is a very, very pretty name and I love it, but she might not want to have a "pretty" name all her life.

[Pingpong]

My vote is definitely Katherine and nn Kitty. Shortened versions as the full name on the bc maybe becoming more popular but IMHO it doesn't make it right. I like proper names and then the child can make choices in their life. If you call her Kitty it would be weird for her aged 13 to announce she would prefer to be known as Katherine. I also think you should stick to the K spelling if you want to use Kitty. I think Katherine and nn Cathy looks odd or to switch it Catherine and nn Kate.
Elizabeth is another lovely classic name with so many options for lovely nn. Lois just sounds very different to your other more traditional choices and immediately makes me think of Lois Lane.

[seeker]

I was Kitty as a child then changed it to Kate as a teenager. Give her the option.

[LittleMissWorryHead]

Lois is fabulous....

Not keen on Kitty at all - i just cannot imagine any of my 30 year old friends being called Kitty and being pleased about it...

[NellyTheElephant]

Personally I'm not that keen on Kitty as a full name as I think it's a bit babyish and fluffy, but if you like it and aren't keen on K/Catherine then go for it - if she finds it too fluffy in later life maybe she can call herself Kit. I know two Kits (one short for Keturah and one for Catherine, both of whom were called Kitty when they were little) and for me the name has very positive connotations.

[weegiemum]

I have a Katherine (it is the proper spelling!!) and we were planning to nn her Kate but she always looked like Katherine to me! Now (age 9) she has firmly asked to be called Kathy. It is very much her own choice, and I'm delighted.

I'm very much pro a "proper" name on the birth certificate, I think it is nicer for formal occasions, especially with nicknames ending in -y or -ie, which can end up sounding very childish (to my ears!).

I like Elizabeth and Susannah as well. Not so keen on Lois, but I believe it is becoming more popular. We know of a baby Lois born recently and ds (7) said immediatley "oh yeah! Superman's Girlfriend!"

[scattykatty]

I like Kitty, I know a 22 year old Kitty, who is in the army just cos you have a girly name doesn't mean she will end up a ballet teacher! Use it!

[katnkittens]

As a Catherine who has never actually been called Catherine since my 'rents decided to give me a 'proper long name' on my birth certificate but call me Katie, please give your child the name you intend on calling her!

I had/have loads of problems, at school I was registered as Catherine and when new teachers mentioned me nobody knew who they meant as none of my friends knew me as anything other than Katie.

It's just sooo much easier for the child, I don't think my name sounds particularly child-like either .

Out of your other names I love Elizabeth and Harriet.

[VicarInaBooTu]

i love the name kitty - id have called DD kitty but my sirname wouldnt ever have gone with it! made her sound like a brand of cat food....

[tearinghairout]

I love Kitty. It sounds a bit Jane Austen for an adult... but I love it anyway. People 'grow into' their names.

[flannelfish]

Katnkittens - that is one of my concerns, that it'll just be confusing putting a different name on the birth certicate. It would be strange knowing her as Kitty but then having to open bank accounts/register at doctors/school with a different name. Good to hear of a real life person who has been through it!

DH now quite fancying Harriet despite the R surname and likes the nickname Hattie. Think I'm still favouring Kitty!