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Baby names

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Original poster

Kathryn or Katherine?

83 replies

brockleybelle · 08/05/2010 11:08

Undecided about what spelling to go with. Our baby (due in 2 weeks) will be known as 'Katy' but want the full name on the certificate.
Sorry for the banality of this post but just wanted to hear the general consensus.

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17caterpillars1mouse · 29/09/2025 16:03

I always think Kathryn is the most undesirable spelling and the most likely to be shortened to Kat.

I know a little Katharine though she's known as Kitty. I think it is the prettiest spelling though

DuchessOfNarcissex · 29/09/2025 10:57

It doesn't bother me @Calliopespa . Kathryn is hardly used these days.

Calliopespa · 29/09/2025 10:41

DuchessOfNarcissex · 29/09/2025 09:41

Katy is 15 now. ZOMBIE THREAD

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Yes everyone knows that. They are just debating Kathryn vs Katherine.

If it bothers you awfully you could start a fresh one on that topic ...

DuchessOfNarcissex · 29/09/2025 09:41

NorthernGirl1975 · 29/09/2025 08:28

Does it really matter?

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Katy is 15 now. ZOMBIE THREAD

Calliopespa · 29/09/2025 08:42

NorthernGirl1975 · 29/09/2025 08:28

Does it really matter?

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Nope.

NorthernGirl1975 · 29/09/2025 08:28

nickelbabe · 28/09/2025 21:36

Ffs. Really old thread!!

Edited

Does it really matter?

nickelbabe · 28/09/2025 21:36

Ffs. Really old thread!!

Calliopespa · 11/09/2025 14:21

NorthernGirl1975 · 10/09/2025 11:24

No wonder there's so many Kate, Cate, Kat and Cats.

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The only Cats I have known have been very much that. 😾

Calliopespa · 11/09/2025 14:20

Ohallright · 20/02/2019 21:26

Kathryn is a very old spelling - pre pilgrim fathers. Like a lot of old words, it is prevalent in USA. It has been used by most generations of my family since approx 1500 and is still going. My family are based in Herefordshire, which is close to Wales, but I think it has been used throughout the uk. The idea that it will date is funny, it is a very dated name....

If the diminutive is to be Katy/Katie it should be Katherine/Katie and Kathryn/Katy

Yes, and that spelling of Katy is prettier too I think.

I'm really not opposed to Kathryn.

Calliopespa · 11/09/2025 14:19

On balance Katherine.

That said, I am normally not someone who likes updated spellings of names, but I do quite like Kathryn, simply because I like the name pronounced that way; some people seem to get an awkward extra syllable in, which I think they think is speaking very carefully but it sounds cumbersome to me.

Oh and I prefer K to C

NorthernGirl1975 · 11/09/2025 13:22

Charlotte120221 · 11/09/2025 12:51

zombie thread

Not now it's not! It's arisen from the dead!

Charlotte120221 · 11/09/2025 12:51

zombie thread

ChocolateCinderToffee · 10/09/2025 23:20

Katherine

DuchessOfNarcissex · 10/09/2025 13:20

3in4years · 18/02/2019 09:12

Kathryn here. The Welsh way I was led to believe.

You were misled. The Welsh form of Catherine/Katherine/Katharine is Catrin. There's no K in Welsh.

user1492757084 · 10/09/2025 13:17

Katharine or Katherine if you want a timeless K spelling.
Catherine if you want a timeless C spelling.

I know some Kathryns, usually aged 40 - 55.
I think it's more recent than the other spellings.

NorthernGirl1975 · 10/09/2025 11:24

Bluelilacbella · 10/09/2025 11:14

There are too many spellings - Catherine, Kathryn, Katherine, Katharine…it must be a pain to constantly spell it out.

No wonder there's so many Kate, Cate, Kat and Cats.

Bluelilacbella · 10/09/2025 11:14

There are too many spellings - Catherine, Kathryn, Katherine, Katharine…it must be a pain to constantly spell it out.

schnowball · 10/09/2025 09:40

My sister is a Kathryn (born 1993). I absolutely love it - she absolutely hates it 😂. I'm the only person who gets away with calling her it; she's Kat to everyone else. Agree that no one knows how to spell it without it being spelled out each time.

Bluelilacbella · 09/09/2025 17:11

Katharine

Sunnyscribe · 09/09/2025 09:40

Yes Katherine, I thought Kathryn sounded American too.

DuchessOfNarcissex · 09/09/2025 08:51

She was Catherine Parr.

Kathryn is a 1960s spelling.
I was going to say Katherine or Katharine.

Katy is usually spelt Katie, but either is fine.

NorthernGirl1975 · 09/09/2025 08:45

@brockleybelle Found this thread when doing a search and realised your Katy would be well into her GCSEs now 🙀!

Didyeeaye · 20/02/2019 21:29

If say Catherine or Katherine

Ohallright · 20/02/2019 21:26

Kathryn is a very old spelling - pre pilgrim fathers. Like a lot of old words, it is prevalent in USA. It has been used by most generations of my family since approx 1500 and is still going. My family are based in Herefordshire, which is close to Wales, but I think it has been used throughout the uk. The idea that it will date is funny, it is a very dated name....

If the diminutive is to be Katy/Katie it should be Katherine/Katie and Kathryn/Katy

123Flopsy · 20/02/2019 11:08

However you decide to spell it, be prepared for it to be spelled incorrectly even if you decide to use a nn.

This.

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