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Baby names

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

Original poster

Kathleen

80 replies

lawrencecostin · 10/03/2019 19:29

Thoughts on Kathleen?

I know it's a very Enid Blyton type of name.

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Isitmybathtimeyet · 11/03/2019 19:02

I think it's quirky (now) and pretty. And it's basically the same name as Caitlin, which is so popular now with a wrong different pronunciation!

RockyFlintstone · 11/03/2019 19:00

Sorry. without the Irish auntie connotation that should say!

RockyFlintstone · 11/03/2019 18:59

I feel like it's the Irish equivalent of Janet or Carol. However, with the 'Irish auntie' connotation, it's actually a really pretty name.

But I probably still wouldn't.

Haworthia · 11/03/2019 18:59

I just find it frumpy sounding. And as a PP said, it’s just not quite old enough for old lady chic.

ASqueakingInTheShrubbery · 11/03/2019 18:56

I know a very cool Irish Kathleen through work. She's about 30 and exudes rock chick cool even though dressed totally appropriately for our quite stuffy job. She's known as Kat informally and Kathleen for formal work stuff.

MikeUniformMike · 11/03/2019 18:53

It's nice. I know a Katie who is Kathleen on bc.

FluffyMunchkin · 11/03/2019 18:26

This is my middle name. I don't like it.

But it's not common, has loads of potential for nicknames, and is easy to spell!

RiverTam · 11/03/2019 15:34

Not keen on Kathleen and absolutely hate Kathy.

sue51 · 11/03/2019 15:32

I love it.

RuthW · 11/03/2019 15:28

Love it

RoseMartha · 11/03/2019 06:52

I would not choose it personally , would go for Katherine but I prefer Kathleen to names like Ethel and Elsie by a long shot.

whiskeysourpuss · 11/03/2019 06:50

@BlackPrism baby Kathleen didn't die on Call the Midwife she was forcibly adopted as the mother was a 15yo prostitute

TheNavigator · 11/03/2019 06:46

Kathleen is a lovely name. I know a Kathleen who is a Katie to friends and family, which is a cute derivative.

PhoenixBuchanan · 11/03/2019 06:39

Love it, was on my list for family reasons. It's got great nickname possibilities too- my favourite is Kitty/Kit.

DuffBeer · 11/03/2019 01:38

No, it's awful.

How about Katy?

flirtygirl · 11/03/2019 01:11

Horrible

Hollyhobbi · 11/03/2019 01:04

Meant to put Kathy or Kate! Not Kathy and Kathy!

Magpie18 · 11/03/2019 01:00

Beautiful name, definitely overdue a revival - I love it!

Hollyhobbi · 11/03/2019 00:59

It is an Irish name and I had two aunts called Kathleen but Kathy or Kathy is not used as a shortened form of it in Ireland. Catherine or Kathryn would be shortened to Kate or Cathy/Kathy or Katie or even Katey (which is what my first cousin calls herself).

brizzlemint · 11/03/2019 00:59

I dislike it. I see Kathleen as being frumpy and downtrodden Katherine would be a lovely alternative.

Tavannach · 11/03/2019 00:55

Too old-fashioned.

Saffrona · 11/03/2019 00:48

Too dated. I prefer Katherine or Katrina nn kitty! Kitty is too cute

MumUnderTheMoon · 10/03/2019 23:55

I really like it and there are plenty of nn possibilities if you want.

BlackPrism · 10/03/2019 23:36

Just makes me think of baby Kathleen who died on Call the Midwife and the actresses Irish pronunciation.

Not a fan

Sophronia · 10/03/2019 22:53

Katherine is much nicer

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