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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...

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cordelia16 · 12/06/2026 14:45

Karina
Katrina
Kayla
Kelly
Kendall

Dontcallmescarface · 12/06/2026 14:46

Kelsey.

Conchiglie · 12/06/2026 14:46

Katya

Caddycat · 12/06/2026 14:47

I had a friend at school called Karelle

Comtesse · 12/06/2026 14:47

Katya (like Katya Adler on BBC News)

ForgottenPasswordNewAccount · 12/06/2026 14:47

Kelly
Kelly Ann

AllFloatOn · 12/06/2026 14:47

Another vote for Katelyn.

Kerry. Kerria (a beautiful flowering plant).
Karina. Kaya (rhyming with Maya). Karmen.

I wouldn’t be too bothered about names that usually start with C, they just use a K for those names in certain countries, they’re not just “being different”.

Edited to say, if you like Kay then I don’t see the problem. I’ve known a couple of women called Kay and I’ve never met a woman who uses Kay as a short form of anything else. I don’t think that happens with women in the same way as say James or Jason being shortened to Jay.

Robogob · 12/06/2026 14:49

Kitty

PistachioTiramisu · 12/06/2026 14:50

If you are considering 'C' names, there is Consuelo, Conchita, Corinne, Corinna, Christabel, Chloe, Charlotte, Carrie-Anne.

ElsieDear · 12/06/2026 14:50

Kitty - one of the sisters from Pride and Prejudice
Klara
Kathleen - very like Katherine
Katrina/Katrine
Kirsten
Kerensa- it’s a traditional Cornish name

RaininSummer · 12/06/2026 14:51

Kay?

SnoopyPajamas · 12/06/2026 14:52

Embrace it, I say. Name her Kiki Kahlua The Kid and glare down anyone who says owt

NamingNoNames · 12/06/2026 14:52

I’ve never met a woman who uses Kay as a short form of anything else. I have. Short for Kathleen.

I also know a Kay not short for anything.

Ceramiq · 12/06/2026 14:53

K is a very problematic initial, letter even. There is something ugly about it because it isn't a Latin consonant.

turbonerd · 12/06/2026 14:53

Kaia
(Usually spelled Kaja in my language)

Kathinka

sashh · 12/06/2026 14:54

Pld · 12/06/2026 14:11

I like Kitty, Kate and Katie but would consider them diminutives of Katherine, although perhaps that doesn't matter.

Kirsty is very 80s/early 90s to me but perhaps that was just in Scotland.

I was going to suggest Katherine but use a diminutive like Kitty.

Kathleen.

Kerry / Kiri.

BettyJoanPerske · 12/06/2026 14:56

I like Kezia. I know what you mean about K names being tacky, though. I think it's because of the Kardashians.

LoudPlumDog · 12/06/2026 14:58

Kate
Kristin
Kellie
Katrina
Katrine
Kara
Kerrin
Karina
Karla

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

NamingNoNames · 12/06/2026 15:00

Kalinka

Kashka
Kasha

To get your toes tapping ready for the weekend

BCBird · 12/06/2026 15:01

Kay

ImpracticalMagic · 12/06/2026 15:03

Karina
Kate
Kassandra
Katrine
Kamille
Kara

TheKittenswithMittens · 12/06/2026 15:04

Kayleigh - I was a big Marillion fan back in the day. One of the better things to come out of Aylesbury.

Jafferz · 12/06/2026 15:06

Kate!

SecretSquirrelSect · 12/06/2026 15:07

I know a cornish Kerensa - love it!

I really enjoyed the books The Diddikoi when I was young and loved Kezia and Kizzy from that.

I think Kate and Kitty are long established as names in their own rights (and are not remotely tacky)