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Baby names

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

Original poster

Sofia/Sophia vs Katerina

31 replies

M1rg0 · 11/12/2022 23:36

Which baby girl name would you prefer? Which one seems stronger?
Trying to figure out what suits better for my little one. I feel like Katerina is a bit rigid. However most people in my family don't like Sofia/Sophia, say it's way too common nowadays.

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Luredbyapomegranate · 16/12/2022 10:38

I wouldn't use Sophia/Sofia because there are. just. so. many. of them. It is dull

I quite like Katarina, but there is also

Serena
Saskia
Sanchia
Selina
Sabrina
Karina / Carina
Cassia
Catriona
Chiara
Cliona
Claudia

DNBU · 16/12/2022 08:24

Sofia/Sophia is so popular but for good reason. Beautiful name.
Katerina is also great name if it’s just between the two, I’d just flip a coin!

Moodhasplummeted · 15/12/2022 14:07

Katerina is gorgeous so I would choose that. It's a name I'd love to have and I wouldn't shorten it. Sophie is also pretty but possibly the most popular girls name in the world if that bothers you. Both great.

TheHouseIsInACircleNow · 12/12/2022 22:00

Sofia/Sophie are extremely popular and just don’t stand out as anything special as a result. Katarina is lovely but I think Katrina is more useable and still very pretty.

Sophiste · 12/12/2022 21:34

Lovely choices. If you’re not sure, how about Katia or Katya?

Buteverythingsfine · 12/12/2022 15:47

I have a Sofia and she loves her name! Just because it's popular doesn't mean it's not a goodie. I wanted a name that worked internationally as well, and it's equally popular on the continent. If you prefer a more unusual name, though, Katerina is lovely, in my daughter's culture it would be Ekaterina.

MajorCarolDanvers · 12/12/2022 15:44

All sounds a bit frilly and ballerina

I prefer Sophie and Kathryn / Katherine

Pemba · 12/12/2022 15:41

Rougher? Do you mean it doesn't have such a soft sound as Sophia, well no it doesn't. It has harder consonants. But still a pretty classic and elegant name and not mega popular like Sophia is right now. They are both nice though.

Original poster
M1rg0 · 12/12/2022 15:36

@Pemba Well, I meant, 'Katerina' sounds a bit rougher than Sophia. And seems a bit less elegant. Though maybe I got used to Sophia in mind and am biased now =)

Thank you so much for a lot of responses! Very useful for me.

OP posts:
bizzywiththefizzy · 12/12/2022 12:49

First time I've commented on Baby Names , those are all lovely names . I like Katerina the best ( I think ).

Luellie · 12/12/2022 12:46

I vote Katerina, but I think Katrina works better for U.K. accents

electricdreaming · 12/12/2022 12:45

Is it pronounced Kat-a-reen-a or kat-reen-a? I think Katrina is softer and less of a mouthful, but Katerina is a beautiful name. Sophia’s a gorgeous name too but it’s very popular, it depends if that bothers you or not.

TippyToesKnows · 12/12/2022 12:42

Katerina is beautiful

RestingMurderousFace · 12/12/2022 12:42

Katerina is a fabulous name!

dahlianoir · 12/12/2022 12:40

How about Talia?

I prefer Katarina over Sofia but I'm not keen on either in most UK accents.

gaf · 12/12/2022 12:29

Sofia/Sophia is so popular it’s got a bit dull. I like Katerina or Katarina. I went to school with one years ago.

WarriorsComeOutToPlayaaay · 12/12/2022 11:35

I think Kat is a great nickname so Katerina gets my vote

TheBirdintheCave · 12/12/2022 11:33

Katerina definitely. The world does not currently need any more Sophias.

NotToBeOrToBe · 12/12/2022 11:02

Katerina is a great name. Kat is a great nickname too.

MurderAtTheBeautyPageant · 12/12/2022 10:43

Katerina is great. Strong name with a bit of oomph.

So so so many Sophies and Sophias/Sofias about. It's a bit drippy.

69YummyMummy69 · 12/12/2022 10:30

Personally, I quite like Gertrude (flows off the tongue)

PritiPatelsMaker · 12/12/2022 07:42

If you refer Sofia/Sophia then go with one of those. Your family are right that it's popular, but if that doesn't bother you and it's the name you prefer then give her that name. You should never name your LO to please your family Flowers

SoupDragon · 12/12/2022 07:31

I much prefer Katerina. It's a lovely strong name with lots of "softer" nicknames if you want.

Pemba · 12/12/2022 07:25

They are both lovely names but Sophia /Sofia is extremely popular right now, as your family says. But maybe that wouldn't bother you.

Have you considered Sophie and Katharine /Katherine /Kathryn /Catherine or Katrina, Catriona or Caitlyn?

I don't really get what you mean by Katerina being 'rigid' can you explain?

Mumdiva99 · 12/12/2022 07:21

Katerina as less popular.