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Baby names

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

Original poster

Katherine or Catherine?

86 replies

LadyStark · 30/09/2015 21:06

We can't decide.

Nickname is going to be Kit/Kitty so leaning towards Katherine as it feels more natural but wondered if there was a consensus on the best spelling?

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NotGoingOut17 · 04/10/2015 00:44

scatterthenuns it depends what your source is as to whether a K or C applies to the 3 wives of Henry VIII - although there are certainly strong arguments that Katherine of Aragon is with a K.

One source of many just from a quick browse on the internet:
www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/HamptonCourtPalaceSightsandstoriesYounghenryFAQsaspx#9

OP I genuinely don't think it matters which you choose, the nickname can go with either - Kate Middleton manages it it despite being a Catherine rather than a Katherine. That said, by the time your daughter is at school, whether she wants her nickname to be Kit or Kitty is a different matter - my sister is a Katherine and has been of manner of nicknames over the years. I did once know a Kitty (not a nickname) so if you like the name Kitty, you could just choose it in its own right.

Onedirectionarestillloved · 03/10/2015 11:36

I don't know that many catherine/Cathryn/Katherine/Katharine's anyway .

Onedirectionarestillloved · 03/10/2015 11:34

Hi think the only true spelling of Catherine with a c is Catherine.
Cathryn is not how it was traditionally spelt.

I don't like the Kathryn spelling as that is not how the name was traditionally spelt so if you don't go for Catherine then choose Katharine.

scatterthenuns · 03/10/2015 08:43

Catherine with a C. I don't give a toss about the Greeks. Catherine looks better with a C.

Feels much more regal if you like that thing, when its got a C.

Like these three babes:

Katherine or Catherine?
Katherine or Catherine?
Katherine or Catherine?
Twinkletoes007 · 03/10/2015 08:27

I would go with Kathryn if you're going with Kitty for a nn.

nickelbabe · 03/10/2015 00:13

My dd's middle name is Katherine, named after a Katherine.

I knew someone who was Cathryn and I've also known Catherines. (Usually Cathy or Cath)
I don't know a Katharine.

hackedoffnow · 02/10/2015 21:22

Catherine

Original poster
LadyStark · 02/10/2015 21:17

I wonder if people are just so used to a range of spellings these days they just ask as standard, irrespective of whether it's really necessary!

OP posts:
Onedirectionarestillloved · 02/10/2015 19:45

I have a straight forward surname.
There is only one way to spell it, if is an actual thing ( eg bell or baker).

I have had people ask me to spell it.

So I always say as in (bell or baker).
There's usually silence followed by the person realising how daft they sound.

SeekEveryEveryKnownHidingPlace · 02/10/2015 18:57

I'd want against it if there was one version that was manifestly the usual one - like spelling it Alfee or Emmaleigh or Aleckzandrer. But where there is variation anyway, i don't think it's so bad.

Minimaus · 02/10/2015 16:17

For many names, mumsnetters always warn agains different spellings as in "she'll have to spell her name forever" and I find this name is one of those!

Katharine, Kathryn, Katherine, Catherine, Catharine, Cathryn.... Hmm.

I would choose a name with a single spelling!

susurration · 02/10/2015 12:01

Or Kathryn. Ours is known as Kitkat or Kat

mappemonde · 02/10/2015 09:37

KathArine looks the nicest and I also think it's good to have the same initial letter for name/nn. One of my dd1's BFFs is something like Imogen known a Jenny and it's tricky to know whether to buy her a gift with an I or J for example

LauraChant · 02/10/2015 09:32

OP You may think Lauren only comes with one spelling but I knew a LaWren pronounced Lauren... Grin

For what it's worth Katharine is my favourite.

Xigris · 02/10/2015 09:29

(Sorry! Massive apologies to all lovely Catherines of which there are many Blush - she just wasn't!)

Xigris · 02/10/2015 09:27

Katherine for me everytime. I knew a Catherine who was a spiteful, nasty narcissist so while I love the sound of the name it has to be Katherine with a K for me!

NationMcKinley · 02/10/2015 09:25

Katherine / Katharine definitely. Lovely name

TwigletLola · 02/10/2015 09:18

I'm a Katherine and I love it, I've never had a nickname and I'm used to spelling it out. I was Kathryn for about 4 hours after being born but my parents changed it. I think it's a classy name and it's also not one of those where you immediately think "oh they must have been born in X decade" like names like Kylie, Tracey etc.

PennyHasNoSurname · 02/10/2015 07:50

Kathryn. Looks nicer and solves the a/e dilemma

Original poster
LadyStark · 02/10/2015 07:46

Oh and I meant to say, my name is Lauren which only really has one spelling and a fairly straightforward one at that and I end up spelling my name out fairly frequently! Think there are very few names that avoid this entirely.

I really appreciate everyone's thoughts though, thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
LadyStark · 02/10/2015 07:41

I think I have settled on K, hadn't even considered the e or a in the middle question though, I thought Katherine was the accepted spelling.

From some googling it looks like Katharine comes from the Greek?

OP posts:
SconeForAStroll · 02/10/2015 07:07

I know what you mean one. People I consider really good friends still spell my name the wrong way. Sad it does mean that I am extremely careful to spell other people's names correctly though.

Go with the K spelling OP, it is what most people consider the default spelling anyway, and at least then she won't get Christmas cards with the wrong name on them.

penguinsarecool · 02/10/2015 02:05

Katherine always looks posher to me for some reason when i see it written down.

ExBallerina · 02/10/2015 02:03

I've never thought about this, but having read this thread, I actually like it with a K. But I love the nn Cat/Kat. So, either, I guess.

Anyway, it's a nice name.

Alisvolatpropiis · 02/10/2015 00:13

I prefer it with a K. Katherine is I think traditionally correct, Catherine the newby (relatively speaking) French spelling. Not entirely sure where Katharine came from, I do slightly prefer it of all the spellings though.

Knew a Katie who was actually Catherine.

Kathryn is awful though.