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Baby names

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

Original poster

Kate- classic or 'meh'?

66 replies

spring1bee · 30/12/2015 23:31

I posted a few weeks ago about the name Mary-Kate which I really love but DH isn't as keen and much prefers Kate on it's own. I do think its lovely but is it a bit bland? I'm not particularly keen on longer versions such as Katherine or Katerina. And how many little Kate's do you know?

Thanks in advance :)

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diddl · 01/01/2016 17:29

I find it meh!

Kathleen I love though.

Also like Caitlyn & Catrina.

SenecaFalls · 01/01/2016 17:00

I'm from the American South, too. And may I just gently remind folk that "trailer trash" is offensive. It's not really on to refer to human beings as "trash" because of their race or economic or housing situation.

Scarydinosaurs · 01/01/2016 14:41

Agh! Kate > Cate!

Scarydinosaurs · 01/01/2016 14:41

No, I completely agree- Katherine > Cate Grin

Original poster
spring1bee · 01/01/2016 12:02

Thanks so much everyone. Really happy with all the positive feedback! :)

INeedNewShoes I understand what you're saying. I have a 4 syllable name with loads of options for nn's/pet names. My sister is a Clare and never liked it for the reasons you stated but I feel there's a bit more leeway with Kate- Katie/y, Kat/Kit, I knew a Katherine at school who always went by Kate and people would call her KK or Kates. It has given me something to think about though as I know my sister always hated that nothing could really be done with her name!

FartyTette don't forget Kate Winslet! Always been a fan of hers.

Scarydinosaurs I love the Cate spelling too but as you say I think that only works as a version of Catherine, not sure I could get away with Cate as a stand-alone name

OP posts:
Scarydinosaurs · 01/01/2016 10:28

I prefer the Catherine and Cate spelling, it is a nice name, a lovely classic choice.

doceodocere · 01/01/2016 10:28

I love it too. I only know one child named Kate.

emilybrontescorset · 01/01/2016 10:28

I've always liked Kate.

I don't like double barrelled names so Mary Kate would be a no for me.
Also can't get past ' Mary-Kate and Ashleigh.'

stopitcaroline · 01/01/2016 10:14

Mary Kate is absolutely not a trailer trash name. Cheerful Yank has the Midwest covered, and I'm from the American South, so I should also know.

Ahem, anyway. I love love love the name Kate. I prefer it as a nn for Katherine. I think it's the ultimate classic, elegant name.

ProfGrammaticus · 31/12/2015 16:29

Kate is a great name. It's not a nickname for Karen though, any more than it is for Bob (a la Blackadder.)

Wafflenose · 31/12/2015 16:24

I have one. She's 10 and thinks her name is brilliant. She is confident, with a strong personality, and as her name is strong and to the point, it fits perfectly. We've only ever come across one other Kate of a similar age, and they don't go to the same school or anything. I was told in no uncertain terms on here that she had to have a 'proper' (longer) name for the birth certificate. We didn't agree with that (clearly) - Kate has been a standalone name for ages. We gave her a long middle name instead.

FartyTette · 31/12/2015 15:36

I have a Kate.... She's adorable (but I'm a bit biased). Famous Kate's include:
Kate Adie
Kate Atkinson
Kate Beckinsale

Alll excellent role models!

fredandme123 · 31/12/2015 14:49

I've been waiting for a thread about my name!!! I'm of k-middy's generation and I do meet a few who are just Kate like me. I've no nicknames or shortenings and have never had the mick taken for my name if that helps! Haven't met a baby Kate yet so don't think she would have three in her class.

HPsauciness · 31/12/2015 14:28

Kate is a lovely name, I've only known nice people called Kate!

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 31/12/2015 14:25

Classic. Kate is lovely.

weegiemum · 31/12/2015 14:23

i have a Katherine (15) because i wanted her to have options (and i'd loved the name for years).

i was happy for her to be Kate if she wanted but since she was 9 she chose Kathy.

I've always liked the idea of a dc having options and deciding themselves on nicknames. i also like longer names for "official"purposes, though i know this makes me hopelessly old fashioned on MN!

Wombat87 · 31/12/2015 13:58

If my ones a girl, I have Catherine-Annie picked out. Would be Kate for short. It's my grandmothers name - feel free to borrow if you like it - I want it back in 7 months though ;)

Sofiria · 31/12/2015 12:25

Kate on its own seems too abrupt and nicknamey to me. I know you said you don't like Katherine as a longer form, but what about something slightly more unusual, like Kathleen or Katya, or even a name that could have Kate as a less intuitive but still workable nickname - Keturah, Kezia, Karen?

xmasseason · 31/12/2015 12:22

I find it a bit dull and earnest, sorry.

INeedNewShoes · 31/12/2015 11:28

I'm a Kate.

In my thirties I'm just coming around to the idea that Kate is a good name.

The problem with it is that there's nowhere to go. It's a short nickname already. I had battles with teachers at school who insisted that my 'real' name 'must' be Katherine.

It sounds frank and not pretty and to be frank Wink I have really grown into my name. I'm sensible, unfrivolous (ooh have I coined a new word?) and too frank for my own good!

My frustrations with having a name that can't be played with and that has only one syllable have led me to decide that I will give my children names that can be shortened or nicknamed or double-barrelled with a middle name at least.

waitingforsomething · 31/12/2015 11:22

I love Kate. Only didn't consider it for DD because my sil is called this.

MrsLeighHalfpenny · 31/12/2015 11:19

The British equivalent Yank. "chav" maybe.
My DM would have said Mary Kate is "common".

NHKX2 · 31/12/2015 10:40

Can't agree more with PPs. I love the name Kate (as is, not short for anything!). My niece is named Kate so it's off the table for me, unfortunately.

Bellejournee · 31/12/2015 10:00

Love the name Kate!

CheerfulYank · 31/12/2015 01:56

Mary Kate definitely not trailer trash. I'm from the American Midwest, I would know. :o