William and Kate...bad idea?

Unfortunately I think if/ when the Royal wedding occurs and the country is awash with William and Kate fever (which will recurr whenever they have kids/ fall out/ get back together/ succeed to the thrown) you will feel odd having a William and a Kate.

I agree that Cate (from Caitlyn/ Cathrine) makes it much less obvious a connection.

From your other list I think Nell Duncan sounds gorgeous, and Rosalind/ Rosie Duncan is lovely too. Both good names for little girls and grown women (as is Kate/ Cate!).

Is your William known as William or Billy/ Will etc? If he's Billy then I think that dilutes the Royal reference too.

Grumblebee - Helena/Nell as a two-for-one is a definite front runner!

Although I really like Matilda/Tilly, I have a close friend who has used this name and don't think she'd like it if I did too!

jollster - I wouldn't snarl at Katrina! I really like it, but DH not so sure.

Eliza - I really REALLY like it, except I'm strangely obsessed with making up rhymes -
"Despise-her, miser, scheisse Elisa"

Or...positive rhymes, "Can't think of anyone nicer (tenuous) or wiser than Eliza" - At least you can put a positive spin on it!

Lucy Duncan sounds really really good IMO.

Elizabeth Duncan is also lovely.

Forgot to say also LOVE Eliza.

Have a William.
LOVE Cate. Maybe Caitlin?
Or Katrina (my middle name before you snarl at it!).

You know I'd ignore all the royal connection sneers (and I am SO NOT a royalist!). Both lovely names and agree with the PP about... hardly Barack and Michelle!

I have a Katherine (kate) and if I was ever to have another DS would love to call him William - great name. Royal connection would never have occured to me.

From your list I love Helena, Eliza and Rosalind - they were all on my list for my Katherine.

Just realised I know a William who's married to a Kate!

From your list: if you went for Helena, you could use Nell as a nn - two for the price of one!

What about Tilly (Matilda) instead of Millie.

The Royal connection didnt occur to me either.

I agree with allyfe, couldn't see a problem from reading your title thread.

Wouldn't even consider not putting William and Kate together - royal connection didn't even enter my mind.

We have friends with children called Edward and Sophie and don't think the royalty thing has ever been mentioned.

I read the title of your thread and couldn't work out why on earth it could be a problem.

I'd say that since your dd would be more often associated with her last name than her brother, it wouldn't be a problem. If she wanted to marry a William it may be more of an issue, but other wise I'd say if you love the name then go for it.

It wouldn't occur to me to make the connection to be honest.

I suppose if they marry it would be like having two kids called Charles and Di. But at the moment I think the link is tenuous.

I actually had to do a double-take on the names before I realised the connection - although, obv this would become v obvious if they do marry!

Even so, your DC will be individuals with separate lives, friends etc (particularly as they get older), most people won't even know what their sibling is called.

Really, how often does one say the names of both DC to people one doesn't know already? Not enough to change what you call your children imo. People that see them both regularly (friends and family) are very unlikely to care a jot!

I guess it boils down to whether you'd find having to say the names of both of your DC to strangers would be too embarrasing for you to accept, in order to have the name of your choosing.

I'd personally go for it!

William and Kate would make me think you were the type to make a banner and stand halfway down the Mall

Please God save yourself! What about Kitty?

I think it would be fine. They are both very traditional names and I like them both.

As long as you don't mind people assuming you are a royalist I'd say go for it. I know of siblings in their 30's now called Andrew, Philip and Anne and everyone always assumed their parents were obsessed by the royal family. They weren't though just liked the names.

I thought Royals as soon as I saw the thread title, I must admit.

I dunno - it's a personal judgement call, really.

I love both names, so can see why you're keen. But agree with notso - just call her Kate, not Katherine! Or if you must, then Catherine. Can still be shortened to Kate.

What about Mary?

Well if you worry about that... DS is William named after my dad, and second name Henry named after my nana. Only when someone mentioned 'royal connection' did I get it oops oh and I'm kate!

I don't think of it but of course am American. They're such classic names that I think it works. If you had a Barack and Michelle that would be entirely different.

I didn't think of it, Kate is brilliant but please don't spoil it with Katherine.

Also love Nell, Nancy, and Rosie.

William and Katharine/Catherine go well together.
I also agree with cat64 in that they are proper names so not obviously named after anyone (other than possibly family/friends).