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Baby names

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Original poster

Is Katarina useable for us?

30 replies

Squirrelmirrel · 27/10/2025 20:44

I just wondered if Katarina (or Katerina) is a useable name with no mainland European heritage? We are half British and half Irish and I just love Katarina, I also love the nickname Kitty, which we would use as a nickname from birth.

Not asking for opinions on Kitty, it's a name commonly used in Ireland as a nickname for various longer forms. It feels very familiar and we love it.
But I'd love a longer birth cert name and I MUCH prefer Katarina (or Katerina) to Katherine.

I'm not keen on just using Kitty, I want her to have choices if she doesn't suit Kitty as an adult.

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user1492757084 · 29/10/2025 13:00

Katerina is lovely.

NormaSears · 29/10/2025 00:02

Katerina is your best bet, @Squirrelmirrel . Katrina will be Trina.

Original poster
Squirrelmirrel · 28/10/2025 23:57

4onenightonly · 28/10/2025 12:45

With Irish connections why not use Catriona ( pronounced Catreena) as a full name nn Kitty

I just don't like the pronunciation as much. Also Catriona will just get pronounced as Cat-ree-oh-na over here.
I would ideally like the name to not begin with C too as we already have a C sibling.
I like the pronunciation Katerina more than Katrina I think. But I haven't totally ruled it out.

OP posts:
Humphreyhen · 28/10/2025 18:14

4onenightonly · 28/10/2025 12:45

With Irish connections why not use Catriona ( pronounced Catreena) as a full name nn Kitty

It seems to vary a bit. I’d spell it Caitríona and pronounce it Ca-tree-uh-na. Also Irish.

StokePotteries · 28/10/2025 17:17

Great choice. Beautiful name and lovely nickname.

ohyesido · 28/10/2025 17:16

Katerina or Caterina are both gorgeous

NormaSears · 28/10/2025 15:26

@4onenightonly , because it has a different pronunciation to Katarina, and would get spelt Katrina (makes me think of latrine),and the Scottish don't pronounce it Catreena (AFAIK).
Also there's the C or K initial conflict.

4onenightonly · 28/10/2025 12:45

With Irish connections why not use Catriona ( pronounced Catreena) as a full name nn Kitty

NormaSears · 28/10/2025 11:51

Yes, and Dolly was Darya.

Original poster
Squirrelmirrel · 28/10/2025 11:12

Thanks so much all. I didn't realise Kitty in Anna Karenina was a Katerina! That's made me like it even more!

OP posts:
NormaSears · 28/10/2025 09:26

if you like it, use it.
I prefer the Kateryna spelling and the ones I know are known as Katie, Kat and Katya.
Kitty in Anna Karenina was Katerina.

Be prepared for misspellings.

Topseyt123 · 28/10/2025 02:35

Lovely name. Go for it. 😃

Greenfinch7 · 28/10/2025 02:31

A great name!

LivingTheDreamish · 28/10/2025 01:45

Yes very nice OP and Kitty is also lovely to use as a nickname.

Straightomyhead · 27/10/2025 22:53

And of course Katarina Johnson-Thompson, the Olympic heptalte.

Moreteaandchocolate · 27/10/2025 22:44

I like it! Fab name 😊 I also know a Katrina.

Gloschick · 27/10/2025 22:42

I think it is fine to use and a nice name. I have met a few Irish people called Karina, which is apparently a shortening of Katerina, so by that logic, it should definitely be usable!

Overthebow · 27/10/2025 21:50

Yes lovely name.

TheNameWasOnceChosen · 27/10/2025 21:48

Sure. Katarina is a beautiful name. My friend is known as Kat/Cat.

MumChp · 27/10/2025 21:35

Of course you can.

Hussaini · 27/10/2025 21:35

Do it

Jan039 · 27/10/2025 21:34

Lovely.

DramaAlpaca · 27/10/2025 21:13

It's fab. Use it!

zebrastripesarefun · 27/10/2025 21:03

Love the name Katarina Kitty is a lovely shortening too.

AgentPidge · 27/10/2025 20:59

Yes, I know an adult Katerina. She's British, and known as Kate. It's a nice name.

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