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Original poster

Pronouncing Katherine

81 replies

YogiYogiBear · 23/01/2024 22:36

How would you pronounce Katherine?
Kath-ur-rine or Kath-rinn

I prefer the pronunciation Kath-rinn but not sure if the Katherine spelling is right for that.

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DappledThings · 24/01/2024 11:42

I'd say all spellings of Catherine/Katherine/Kathryn the same. All 2 syllables.

Outthedoor24 · 24/01/2024 11:40

@RowanMayfair
It's maybe an accent thing but to me their is a difference between the Catherine and Cathryn ends but maybe not the middle.

Catherine sounds like Rhine
Kathryn sounds like something like tin or gin.

RowanMayfair · 24/01/2024 04:22

Surely this is a regional/accent question and not a spelling one? I'm Catherine and never had anyone pronounce the 'er' separately. RP English accents give it more of a nod whereas the local south east accent is more 'Caffrin' but it's never Cath-er-ine.

penjil · 24/01/2024 02:59

Catherine is easy.

It's Caroline and Carolyn you don't want to confuse! I know several of each and always get reminded if I say the wrong one.

Caroline (carro-line)
Carolyn (carro-lin)

😱

Outthedoor24 · 24/01/2024 02:27

I think you want Kathryn.

Lovely name

Emma8888 · 24/01/2024 02:22

3 syllables for Katherine, 2 syllables for Kathryn. Pick the spelling that matches how you'd like it pronounced.

Heather37231 · 24/01/2024 01:26

If you want to be sure of the Kath-rin pronounciation, spell it Kathryn.

ThirtyThrillionThreeTrees · 24/01/2024 00:57

Cath-ur-rinn is lovely.

Cath-ryn is not lovely at all. I hate when it's prnounced that way.

EverleighMay · 24/01/2024 00:34

Cath-ther-in

(Scottish roots partly kicking in with my pronunciation above, also come accross Scottish folks adding a German twang with Cath-ther-rhine )

pinkplate · 24/01/2024 00:20

Cath-rin

RedToothBrush · 23/01/2024 23:48

Depends on the day of the week. I probably is both. I don't care. It's all the same name and the difference is so small and everyone will get It wrong constantly.

If you are going to be precious about pronouncing it right and go around correcting everyone you'll quickly piss people off.

If getting the correct pronunciation is that important to you, this is not the right name for you.

MaloneMeadow · 23/01/2024 23:45

Kath-rinn

JayAlfredPrufrock · 23/01/2024 23:36

Kate

Mynaddmawr · 23/01/2024 23:35

Cath-rin

eleanorwish · 23/01/2024 23:31

I come from a town in the north west and we say Kath-ryn, except we have a Katherine St, and all the locals pronounce it Kath-rine, no idea why.

ColleenDonaghy · 23/01/2024 23:16

Username123343 · 23/01/2024 22:51

However it’s spelled - Catherine, Kathryn, Katherine - I pronounce them all the same.

Kath-rin.

Agreed they're all the same, although I think I tend to put a very short -uh- in the middle.

This is a question of accent, so you can't really dictate it or steer it with spelling. If you pick such a (lovely) well established name people will pronounce it the way they have always pronounced it, especially when the difference is so subtle. It's not like Naomi or Helena that have established different pronunciations.

SmiteTheeWithThunderbolts · 23/01/2024 23:12

Usually as two syllables but sometimes as three, eg when enunciating clearly if someone needs to write it down or check a list.

The most important thing is to spell it with a kick-arse K and not a soppy C.

KnickerlessParsons · 23/01/2024 23:08

Kath er in.

HonoriaLucastaDelagardie · 23/01/2024 23:08

Kath-er-in.

I would assume if the parents/owner of the name wanted it to be pronounced Kathrin or Kathryn, they would spell it that way.

I pronounce Katherine as Kathrun or kath -u- run.

Why pronounce it -un when it's spelled -ine?

username268 · 23/01/2024 23:03

SleepingStandingUp · 23/01/2024 22:58

Never known anyone say Kath Ur rine.

Kath rin regardless of spelling

I'm a Katherine, pronounced Kath-rin. Whenever I heard Kath Ur rin (3 syllables) I knew I was in trouble!

puffylovett1 · 23/01/2024 23:02

I’m a Catherine pronounced cath rinn. Although it’s fairly moot pronunciation given that everyone just calls me cath 😆 (which i hate!)

SleepingStandingUp · 23/01/2024 22:58

Never known anyone say Kath Ur rine.

Kath rin regardless of spelling

FrangipaniBlue · 23/01/2024 22:57

Kath-rhun

notknowledgeable · 23/01/2024 22:52

Username123343 · 23/01/2024 22:51

However it’s spelled - Catherine, Kathryn, Katherine - I pronounce them all the same.

Kath-rin.

me too

PandaG · 23/01/2024 22:52

Cath rinn, for any variant spelling for me.

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