Please or to access all these features

Baby names

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

Are there any K names that are not tacky?

447 replies

JCes · 12/06/2026 13:00

Are there any feminine K names that are more traditional and old-fashioned? I really dislike modern and trendy sounding names. I also dislike C names that have recently been turned into K names. The Kylie, Kaylee, Kadence, Kallie, Kinley, Kaitlyn, Krystal, Karly, Khloe, Kenzie type of names are not for me. They're all very similar in style to me, and I just find them to be tacky. They also feel very mean girl/bully. (This won't make sense to everyone, but I'm sure some will know what I mean.)

An example of a name that I do like is Katherine, but there are simply too many in the family. I also like just plain Kay, but it seems a bit underwhelming as a first name. It's more often a middle name and shortening of other K names. Karen is no longer a possibility for obvious reasons...

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Pld · 12/06/2026 17:00

Bridesmaidorexfriend · 12/06/2026 15:00

I feel personally attacked

edited to say - seeing some of the name suggestions - maybe just pick a different letter. Kay is a horrible name. If you have to I’d go Katherine. And please don’t call a child Kitty

Edited

I've taught some lovely Kittys. I think it's a lovely name for different ages and fairly traditional -its in Pride and Prejudice and lots of family trees if you go several generations back.

Cantspeakwontspeak · 12/06/2026 17:06

Karis

AImportantMermaid · 12/06/2026 17:09

The obvious classy name apart from Katherine is Kirsten.

LancashireButterPie · 12/06/2026 17:10

Kitty is lovely.

Heggettypeg · 12/06/2026 17:12

KTheGrey · 12/06/2026 16:10

Is that not a Greek brand of cigarette?

I don't know about Greek cigarettes, but Karelia is an area of Finland. I think some of it is now on the other side of the Russian border.
There's some nice music by Sibelius celebrating it - the Karelia Suite.

ClaireEclair · 12/06/2026 17:20

Kathleen always reminds me of Kathleen Hanna from Bikini Kill who is very cool! I also like Kate/Katie.

ClaireEclair · 12/06/2026 17:21

I also like Kitty but I’m sure it’s short for Katherine.

PeopleWatching17 · 12/06/2026 17:28

JCes · 12/06/2026 13:00

Are there any feminine K names that are more traditional and old-fashioned? I really dislike modern and trendy sounding names. I also dislike C names that have recently been turned into K names. The Kylie, Kaylee, Kadence, Kallie, Kinley, Kaitlyn, Krystal, Karly, Khloe, Kenzie type of names are not for me. They're all very similar in style to me, and I just find them to be tacky. They also feel very mean girl/bully. (This won't make sense to everyone, but I'm sure some will know what I mean.)

An example of a name that I do like is Katherine, but there are simply too many in the family. I also like just plain Kay, but it seems a bit underwhelming as a first name. It's more often a middle name and shortening of other K names. Karen is no longer a possibility for obvious reasons...

Ken.

Mumandcarer80 · 12/06/2026 17:29

Kyra kara

BunnyLake · 12/06/2026 17:30

Kaia (Kya)
Kenzie
Kora
Kamryn
Kenna
Kairi
Kelly
Kacey

These are all real names. Kelly is a pretty solid name. I rather like Kenna.

BunnyLake · 12/06/2026 17:32

Heggettypeg · 12/06/2026 17:12

I don't know about Greek cigarettes, but Karelia is an area of Finland. I think some of it is now on the other side of the Russian border.
There's some nice music by Sibelius celebrating it - the Karelia Suite.

On a geographical note how about Kalandra, an area in Greece. Also the name of a band I’m a fan of.

VividDeer · 12/06/2026 17:32

Kerenza, Cornish name

Motherbear44 · 12/06/2026 17:33

Pemba · 12/06/2026 13:09

Kirsty is nice
Keziah?

I thought of these

Dawnintheageofaquariams · 12/06/2026 17:34

Whatever name you give your child will be changed into a nickname that they choose to live with.
You can't gatekeep names.

Dawnintheageofaquariams · 12/06/2026 17:36

You can't gapekeep names.
Whatever you choose will be changed by the perception of your child's peers.

ERthree · 12/06/2026 17:37

Kirra, a Gaelic name. Only used if they have dark hair as it means dark lady.

Theonethatlurks · 12/06/2026 17:38

My name begins with K and I’m feeling personally attacked 🤣

ladygindiva · 12/06/2026 17:42

Kristen
Kenza
Kerenza

Bestnottalkaboutit · 12/06/2026 17:44

If you don’t like any names that start with K, then…..choose one of the other 25 letters!

SweetnsourNZ · 12/06/2026 17:46

wishingonastar101 · 12/06/2026 13:26

Karenza? Like a massive Karen?

It's Cornish I believe. Means peace. Was on my shortlist over 30 years ago for my 2nd child. Couldn't use it though as had a boy.

KayL8 · 12/06/2026 17:47

My name is Kay. I am an adult now but I can assure you that I definitely was once a baby. My name may be underwhelming to some people but I can assure my husband finds me overwhelming! 😁

igelkott2026 · 12/06/2026 17:54

I think most girls' names that start with a K are nice.

You can always cheat and change a C name into a K name, like Karoline.

Madisnttheword · 12/06/2026 17:58

Keziah

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 12/06/2026 18:03

Katherine sprung to mind plus all the shortenings - Kitty, Katie, Kate.

Karoline/ Karolina
Kristen
Kirsten
Kirsty
Kara
Kora
Kristina

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 12/06/2026 18:04

Madisnttheword · 12/06/2026 17:58

Keziah

This is nice