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Baby names

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

Original poster

Which spelling and nickname?

41 replies

jasminesunflower · 20/05/2023 00:06

Just curious, which spelling do you like best and why?

Katherine
Catherine
Kathryn

Katharine
Catharine
Cathryn

Do they give you different images or different personalities?

Also, which of these nicknames:

Kate, Katie
Kathy, Cathy
Kitty
Kit
Kat
other

I actually really like Kathy, is it too old fashioned?

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ThroughThickAndThin01 · 20/05/2023 06:21

Katherine, Kitty

kezziecakes · 20/05/2023 06:17

My favourites are Katherine or Catherine. I know a Katharine and I always think it looks as if it is spelt wrong. Adore the nn Kitty

RightWhereYouLeftMe · 20/05/2023 06:14

Katherine, with nicknames Kate or Kat would be my preference.

SquigglePigs · 20/05/2023 06:12

My favourite spelling has always been Kathryn.

Otherwise Katherine or Catherine, I don't like the last 3.

Kathy feels like an older person nickname so I'd lean to Katy or Kat.

ThomasinaLivesHere · 20/05/2023 05:43

Catherine is my favourite but just because it’s the one I’ve seen more often and I imagine (haven’t checked) it’s the most commonly used. I’ve also read lots of books with Catherines in them so have positive associations.

I think Cathy is due a comeback but I also like Kate and Kitty as nicknames.

Luredbyapomegranate · 20/05/2023 01:35

cnew · 20/05/2023 00:17

Where have you seen these spellings before?
Katharine
Catharine
Cathryn

The first two are very established spellings eg Katharine Hepburn, St Catharine’s college Cambridge - although the former is more common.

Cathryn is just an unusual variation of the Welsh Kathryn, I guess

Theoldwoman · 20/05/2023 01:35

I prefer Katharine after Katharine Mansfield.

Kate for the NN.

But Kate alone is a perfect name. Classic.

UsingChangeofName · 20/05/2023 01:33

Kathryn or Catherine

Nicknames evolve and change over time. Quite often, nothing to do with the name. Very commonly, not what you envisage when pregnant.

Luredbyapomegranate · 20/05/2023 01:31

Katharine I like Kate, Kat and Kit, and Kathy might be due a revival

I’d avoid the y spellings, unless you’re Welsh

I also like Catrin which is Breton I think

user1492757084 · 20/05/2023 01:04

My preferences ..
Catherine - Cate, Cathy, Cat
Katharine - Kate, Kat, Kitkat, Katy or Kitty
Kate - used just as it's own name - Katie

Kathryn is okay - Kath or Kat
Though, of the shortened versions, I prefer Caitlin - Cait

NuffSaidSam · 20/05/2023 00:18

I like Katherine best, Catherine second because they look like the ones that are spelt 'correctly' to me.

Favourite nickname either Kitty or Kate/Cate. I would keep the nickname initial the same as the full name initial. So Catherine is Cate and Katherine can be Kitty or Kate.

cnew · 20/05/2023 00:17

Where have you seen these spellings before?
Katharine
Catharine
Cathryn

MaggyNoodles · 20/05/2023 00:16

Katherine or Catherine, because the other spellings look wrong to me.
I think Cathy, or Kathy, are due a resurgence, go for it Op.

WhenTheBeeStings · 20/05/2023 00:15

Katherine/Catherine & I like nn Kathy / Cathy. I briefly declared I wanted to change my name to Catherine when I was in school & preferred the C spelling but now prefer K.

Cryingbutstilltrying · 20/05/2023 00:12

Oh and a Kat and a Cat.
The Cat names are quite cool adults.
Kitty is a bit flighty but fun.
Kate and Katy are nice mum friends.
Cathy is firmly middle class and takes no shit.
You did ask about personality 😁

Cryingbutstilltrying · 20/05/2023 00:10

Kathy is a less common nn, but it’s nice.
I think I prefer the C spellings.
I know a Kathryn nn Kitty.
Katherine nn Kate
Katharine nn Katy
Catherine nn Cathy.
Catherine nn Cate.
They are a mix of kids and adults, and all very lovely.
So many options, but I like them all.