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

Catherine or Katherine?

91 replies

noblegiraffe · 16/10/2012 19:45

Which spelling do you prefer?

Also, could you call a girl Catherine and still shorten it to Katie or would that be weird?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
BartimaeusNeedsMoreSleep · 23/10/2012 13:49

I've always preferred K as I think it's stronger than C (although that might be influenced by the Katherine and Catherine I knew as a child).

It's on our top ten list of girls names. However DH prefers C as the K version is not really known in France (where we live).

I'll have to wait and see if it ever because an important issue for us Grin

MacAndCheese · 23/10/2012 13:46

Life I agree that it isn't weird! That's my name!

cupcake19992110436247 · 23/10/2012 13:34

Prefure Catherine personaly xx

TheSurgeonsMate · 23/10/2012 12:35

Catherine.

And, yes can be shortened to Katie. No probs.

flowers123 · 23/10/2012 12:32

just to add to the mix I am a Kathryn, alway have to spell it out but would not change it x

Lifeisontheup · 23/10/2012 12:22

It's not weird

DandyDan · 23/10/2012 11:41

Definitely Katherine, or Katharine.

Not with a "C". And it would be weird to shorten Catherine to Kate, and Cate still looks weirder (apologies to Cate Blanchett).

Teamthrills · 22/10/2012 14:50

Katherine - much nicer.

nemno · 22/10/2012 14:16

K

Wigeon · 22/10/2012 14:03

OP - I really think it doesn't matter that much - just go for the one that you like most on gut instinct.

Personally I think it's slightly odd to be Catherine, nn Katie / Katy, because of the initial letter thing, so either go with Catherine, nn Cate (bit pretentious) or Katherine if you are definitely going to use Katie / Katy. Katherine or Catherine (or Kathryn or Katharine...), she's going to be spelling it each and every time! But I still think it's a lovely name! Smile.

shoobidoo · 22/10/2012 13:49

I've not read the whole thread but I would advise that the name and nickname start with the same initial. Makes labelling of clothes, items etc MUCH easier.

So Catherine => Cathy, Cat, Catey
And Katherine/Katharine/Kathryn => Kat, Katy

Gosh, there are lots of spellings of Katharine, aren't there....!

TessOfTheBurbervilles · 22/10/2012 13:42

Given that the root word that Katherine comes from is a 'kat' word, Katherine is without doubt the original spelling.

However, Catherine is my preferred spelling, because I don't like K names. I blame all those people who ruin perfectly good C names, by spelling them with a K, such as Khloe, Konstance (I've seen one of them) and (for the boys) Kooper. They are the people responsible for my aversion to (perfectly good) K names.

myhandslooksoold · 22/10/2012 12:41

My gorgeous dd is a Katherine. I love it. Agree with Anne of green gables

hatsybatsy · 22/10/2012 12:37

had a friend who had always been known as Kate - do everything official was with 'K' as an initial... slight problem as her name was actually Catherine....

IMO if Kate/Katie are to be used from the off, then go with a 'K' form of the name?

And (as a KathAryn myself)... please please please go for one of the more usual spellings - no point adding further complications?

MirandaWest · 22/10/2012 11:32

Definitely Katherine, but I am biased Smile.

camgirl · 20/10/2012 23:10

Katharine.

Second choice - Katherine.

Definitely more distinguished!

weegiemum · 20/10/2012 23:10

She's 12, btw. Not many about at her age, there's only 2 in her school.

weegiemum · 20/10/2012 23:06

I have a Katherine. She's chosen to use Kathy. I don't like Katie, but would be ok with Kate. But mostly I call her by her full name as I think it's so pretty.

ChristmasKate · 20/10/2012 23:05

And without wishing to offend any Kats it really does sound cheap.

I have always been Katie but never Kate and no way Kathryn, I think hope my name suits me and was recently informed in a 360 review that staff members said I am dependable, reliable,strong willed, stroppy, mum like, annoying and funny.

Grin Confused

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 20/10/2012 23:03

Oh no it really does seem to be a pretty even split. How on earth do you decide when it is just a matter of personal preference?

OP posts:
TheEnglishWomanInTheAttic · 20/10/2012 22:56

K absolutely - possibly because I have known several very wet and one unpleasant C C/Katherines, but it looks better with a KK IMO and Katie looks miles better with a K...

rhetorician · 20/10/2012 22:54

Catherine, definitely. But couldn't begin to rationalize it everyone thinks it's a common enough name, but my C is the only little girl I know called by the full name. Lots of Kates and Katies too, also lovely. Is a family name, one in every generation, but I love it. Have never regretted it, despite using it about a zillion times a day (dd1 a bit stubborn/resistant!)

ChristmasKate · 20/10/2012 22:53

I'm Katie but christened Kathryn, I've never even thought about the Katie Katy cross out letters thing! Smile

Since being taught how to read and write I have always said then spelt my name when talking to banks etc.

Second nature to assume people wont spell it right and without outing myself completely our family are the only ones with our spelling of our surname (one letter change)

qumquat · 20/10/2012 22:52

Katherine or Katharine. I'm with Anne of green gables on this one.

MacAndCheese · 20/10/2012 22:50

I'd say Catherine.

I get called

Cate - people still find the spelling weird Hmm but according to this thread it's totally normal.
Catie
Kitty
Cat

Swipe left for the next trending thread