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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Help convince me this name is nice please!

57 replies

thistlemuncher · 13/01/2012 09:11

I just can't get excited about the name that "we" have chosen for our baby. Catherine (pronounced Catrine as DH is French native language).

It's the only name that DH suggested that was acceptable, but I'm not a great fan. Which is stupid as it fits my criteria of being Greek roots and multi-lingual. Except that all of my family will pronounce it wrong... I think my main dislike is that I know so many, it's the most common name in my year group so I went to school/uni with loads and find it, well, boring. DH always refers to bump by name now, so it's a bit late to change it. He's also adamant that we have to have the French spelling and pronunciation.

I'm trying to come up with nicknames that I can use, but I know so many people called Kate, Katie, Kat, Cat, Kitty that I can't imagine using any of them for a baby.

Please tell me a nice thing about this name and any other suggestions for nicknames?

(I'm also well aware people are going to say we've given the name because I'm British and constantly ask if it's because of the Royal family)

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Montsti · 13/01/2012 10:55

I like it but it doesn't wow me, but it's not my baby! Nice nns too and lots of them. I think it's going a bit far for your DH to insist English people pronounce it the French way..

How about Charlotte - used in France and there is less confusion with pronounciation between the 2 languages other than accent obviously..IMO similar kind of name to Catherine too...

I'm a bit biased though as it's my favourite girls name nn. Lottie!

annalovesmrbates · 13/01/2012 10:47

I love Catherine and Kate, they were high up our short list for girls names!

annalovesmrbates · 13/01/2012 10:47

I love Catherine and Kate, they were high up our short list for girls names!

hugebump3 · 13/01/2012 10:44

I think YOU need to convince yourself that you like it (or not) and if not, it is NOT to late to change it. In my opinion you need to find a name that you both love.

Catherine is fine, but I wouldn't choose it personally. Nothing wrong with it though, a perfectly normal name. The spelling and pronunctiation will be an issue though so you need to be happy with those.

Theas18 · 13/01/2012 09:21

It's a great name. You'll be forever explaining the How to say it though.

What is the french nickname for it? Maybe this would be good

Kitty for a baby is uber cute.

It's not going to be common, isn't completely off the wall either and works for everything from tatooed bikers (Kaz or Cat) to models "miss Cathrine X is modelling Dior today" to lawyers and investment bankers!).

And it's multi lingual- really I'm with your DH, it's the name you need!

(NN wise if you are saying it "catrine" then it opens up the "trine/trina/trinny" type of NN too)

EightiesChick · 13/01/2012 09:18

Just re-read and it does sound as if your DH is being a bit stubborn. I don't think either of you should get to be 'adamant' about the naming process - it should be something you agree on, however much negotiation that involves...

EightiesChick · 13/01/2012 09:16

If the baby is still a bump, it's hardly too late to change it! People change their minds even when the baby is a few months old - there are threads on here about it. So don't think this is an unchangeable decision. Is your DH being particularly intractable about this?

Personally, I love Catherine and think it is a beautiful, classic name, very versatile, lots of possible nicknames. But none of that matters if you don't like it.

Tell us about your name requirements. You've said a bit above but spell it out. What names did you put on your own shortlist and what were your DH's?