Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Andrea, Elizabeth or Katherine

33 replies

Pos1 · 10/05/2012 18:03

Whats your favourite?

Andrea we wouldn't shorten, we were thinking of Lizzie for Elizabeth and Katie for Katherine. Any opinions? Thanks !

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
thrillahkillah · 11/05/2012 19:55

Andrea is derived from the Greek word "andros". I.e., "man". the name means "manly" basically.

Hence it being only used for boys in Italy, Greece, etc. Please don't use it, it's really awful.

Elizabeth's lovely
Katherine's nice too, i admit i prefer Catherine.

EllenParsons · 11/05/2012 19:42

Katherine is the best (prefer Catherine spelling), Elizabeth also nice. Not keen on Andrea.

redrubyshoes · 11/05/2012 16:16

Andrea for me is very 1960/70's along with Julie, Debbie, Nicky, Mandy, Joanne, Lorraine type of names.

Katherine is timeless and elegant as is Elizabeth.

Montsti · 11/05/2012 16:13

I like Katherine best (prefer with a C though) and also like Elizabeth. Not keen on Andrea - just don't like it and know quite a few. Find it a bit too masculine but that might be because I also know loads of Italian Andreas - all men! Sorry Androbbob ad any other Andreas on here - for what it's worth I'm not keen on my name either!

ripsishere · 11/05/2012 16:10

Betty or Kitty from me. I am 48, I was at school with a lot of Andreas. Very dated IMO and not due a revival.

Lannie33 · 11/05/2012 16:03

I would go with Andrea because I'm not a fan of common names. Elizabeth and Katherine are nice but i think a bit boring, sorry. I had a childhood friend named Andrea and I know 2-year old twins named Andrea and Leila. But can't go wrong with any of the names.

namechangersmum · 11/05/2012 15:55

also the meaning of andrea would dissuade me from using it strong (fine) but manly would be a no .

sashh · 11/05/2012 06:03

I'm the same age as andrabob - 2 Andreas at my primary school, and at secondary 5 Catherines in the same class. I don't really like Andrea, to me it's a Sharon or Tracy name.

I like the Elizabeth/Lizzy idea - BUT there are probably going to be a lot of Elizabeths (and Catherines) this year with fans of the royals.

PercyFilth · 10/05/2012 20:46

I've never even heard the name Andrina at all.

androbbob · 10/05/2012 20:44

Had to post on this as I am an Andrea (in my 40's!). Was always an unusual name when I was a child but I wouldnt chose it as its my name! I prefer Elizabeth out of the three names!

Geranium3 · 10/05/2012 20:37

prefer Catherine or Katie

DottieRose · 10/05/2012 20:36

Elizabeth is beautiful and you can get Eliza, Lizzie, Liz, Beth and Betty out of it which are really cute. Katherine feels a bit old to me and Andrea a bit common but that's because I teach a lot of Andreas

namechangersmum · 10/05/2012 20:32

percy depends where you live , in scotland i know of at least 5 andreas /andrinas aged in their late 30s to early 50s. which is probably partly why it feels similar to sharon in terms of datedness for me .

birdofthenorth · 10/05/2012 20:00

Andrea is gorgeous. Dree and Andi make nice nickname options too. Elizabeth and Katherine are both lovely too though. Betsy, Elsie, Eliza, Bess and Lizzy all lovely nns. I'd nn a Katherine Kitty if I had one.

PercyFilth · 10/05/2012 19:56

I bet most people have never even met an Andrea - don't think it's ever been uber fashionable, and those are the names that don't date.

mopsyflopsy · 10/05/2012 19:46

"Eeew, not Andrea, sounds really dreary and dated."

But that's because you only know older Andreas - wait until you meet a little cute girl called it and you'll instantly change your association.

Katharine and Elizabeth are indeed quite widely used already. Andrea makes a refreshing change!

Sharpkat · 10/05/2012 19:46

Probably going to out myself now but I am Katherine Elizabeth which was shortened to Katyliz as a small child and then Katy. I now go by Katherine but love the fact that both names can be shortened Smile

fabulousdarling · 10/05/2012 19:39

Katherine is sooooooooo done already. Andrea's nice. More unusual these days. Attracts Italians too.

Pinot · 10/05/2012 19:36

Eliza

imogengladheart · 10/05/2012 19:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AkhalTeke · 10/05/2012 19:31

Eeew, not Andrea, sounds really dreary and dated.

the others are lovely.

WithACherryOnTop · 10/05/2012 19:29

Elizabeth.

namechangersmum · 10/05/2012 19:22

not keen on andrea at all sorry .to me it sounds dreary sorry .

elizabeth and katherine are both lovely with lots of lovely nn potential.

DanceToTheIslandBeat · 10/05/2012 19:10

To go against the tide - I really don't like Andrea, but love the others!

Tricksterfrickster · 10/05/2012 19:07

Another vote for Andrea, love it!

Swipe left for the next trending thread