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Baby names

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

Original poster

Which spelling do your prefer?.. so many to choose from!

69 replies

FakaP · 27/06/2013 00:47

Katherine
Catherine
Katharine
Catharine,
Kathryn
Cathryn....

OP posts:
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SleepyCatOnTheMat · 27/06/2013 15:25

If the OP wants to use a K spelling she would be better off going with Katherine, MrsTerryPratchett - much less chance of it being mispelt.

MrsTerryPratchett · 27/06/2013 15:13

Katharine but she will spend her life spelling it to people.

SleepyCatOnTheMat · 27/06/2013 15:09

P.S. I second everybody who has said you can still use Katie/Katy/Kitty etc. as nicknames with Catherine (love Kitty).

SleepyCatOnTheMat · 27/06/2013 15:08

I would spell it Catherine as this is how Saint Catherine (i.e. the original Catherine) spelled it and to me it looks slightly more classy.

However this is not actually the most popular spelling. The positions of the various spellings of Catherine on the England and Wales baby name charts are as follows:

Katherine - #169
Catherine - #233
Kathryn - #615
Katharine - #1665
Cathryn - #3549
Catharine - not on chart

ItCameFromOuterSpace · 27/06/2013 14:07

Catherine

ChippingInWiredOnCoffee · 27/06/2013 12:21

I wouldn't use it given the Middleton!

But, if I did, then it would depend on whether I wanted a Cath-er-in or a Kath-ryn :)

Elquota · 27/06/2013 12:17

Katie is much nicer than Cath/Cathy IMO. So I'd use Katherine, nn Katie. I don't think Cate/Caty look right somehow.

mrsyattering · 27/06/2013 11:50

Katharine, coz that's my name nn Katie Grin

Artesia · 27/06/2013 11:48

Cloud Kitten, you weren't by any chance at school in North Yorks were you?! The Cathryn/Ruth, both slightly square, combo was at our school too!

Myliferocks · 27/06/2013 09:46

Catherine.

DC5 has a different spelling of a popular name and it can be a nightmare.
We have never been able to buy anything preprinted with names on as it is always the wrong spelling for him. Iyswim
It probably doesn't help that his 4 siblings all have traditional names with the traditional spellings so can always find items with their names on.

MyBoysAreFab · 27/06/2013 09:41

My mum's name is Catherine. I have never really thought about it before but when I see it in this post, I think it is a lovely name. SIL is Kathryn.

TheSurgeonsMate · 27/06/2013 09:41

Catherine is the best spelling.

You can still shorten to Kate or Katie if that's your preference.

HenriettaPye · 27/06/2013 09:39

I like Kathryn with Katy for short

noblegiraffe · 27/06/2013 09:39

Katherine if you want the nickname Katie otherwise initials are different. And Catie is just odd.

There was a Cathryn on the Great British Bake Off. It looked like it was spelled wrong.

HorryIsUpduffed · 27/06/2013 09:38

Catherine

Although it starts to look like catheter on a thread like this.

Use whatever diminutive you like with whatever starting letter. IMHO using Cate from Catherine is just pedantic compared with Kate.

I like Kitty from Catherine. Citty would just be weird.

puffylovett · 27/06/2013 09:34

I'm a Catherine so obviously I'm biased. I Would say though that I find the majority of people spell my name Kathryn which is annoying, as I have to correct them.

ZolaBuddleia · 27/06/2013 09:33

Catherine.

commsgirl · 27/06/2013 09:33

Catherine Smile

Elquota · 27/06/2013 09:30

Katherine

TattyCatty · 27/06/2013 09:18

As a Catherine, I knew this was the name you were talking about before I even clicked on the thread! Obviously I would recommend Catherine, but she will still spend her lifetime spelling it out because there are so many variations. However, if you are planning on shortening it to Kate or Katie, I would say Katherine.

Cloudkitten · 27/06/2013 09:10

Catherine. It is pretty and classy, and nn Cat is much nicer than Kat, as is Cathy to Kathy. I think Katherine looks a bit unnessarily new-fangled (although I know it's an old name) a bit like Chloe/Khloe or its time, maybe Smile

Kathryn/Cathryn a bit... square. The girls at school with this spelling were all square and quiet sorts and they tended to have sisters called Ruth who were also square. (I'm sure there are loads of non-squares with those spellings but it was just my experience).

I think the 'e' is prettier than the 'a' (Catherine to Catharine, Katherine to Katharine) it looks nicer. The 'a' is harder looking and if you said it properly - Kath-ar-ine - it sounds harder too.

DonutForMyself · 27/06/2013 09:05

Catherine - can still be NNed Kate/Katy when spelled with a C and also Cat/Cate which are a bit more modern.

I think the C looks more friendly than the K and also "Catherine with a C" is usually spelled this way, whereas "Katherine/Kathryn with a K" would need further explanation as there are 2 popular forms.

ShabbyButNotChic · 27/06/2013 09:04

Catherine..i think it flows nicer when written, katherine looks a bit harsh

meditrina · 27/06/2013 08:51

Catherine or Katharine.

No logical or historic reasons, they're jut the ones I think look right.

DonDrapersAltrEgoBigglesDraper · 27/06/2013 08:49

Catherine.

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