Catherine or Katherine or with 'a's instead of 'e's...

[Nemonemo]

... And does it even matter??

My DMum wanted Katherine for me and was having the same sort of problems when trying to decide on spelling, K or C etc. In the end my Grandad said for goodness sake if you're going to call her Kate for short, just call her Kate.

I am just Kate :o

DD2's middle name is Katherine as that's just the way I prefer it.

If you are called Catherine / Katherine etc you are always always going to have to spell it, even if you have the most common surname (not even sure which variant is most common). I spend a lot of time saying "with a C and an "e" in the middle".

It doesn't bother me that much tbh, even though I had to spell out my maiden name too (despite it being a very common English word) and now I have to spell my married name (as it's a very unusual name no one has ever heard of).

If you like the name, I'd go for it.

Sorry - meant "even if you have the most common variant" not "the most common surname"!

My friend is christened Catherine but always known as Katy. This is actually problematic at times as it means her initials are different depending on whether she is being formal or not! I actually prefer it with a C but think if you are planning on Katy as a shortened version you may be better starting with a K.

Always have to spell my name, K and a Y here!

I love my name, spelt Katherine never shortened. Not a major problem to spell it out, and I think it's a lovely, classic name.

I know a Catherine who is called Kay!!!!
Even her parents call her Kay-why???The name begins with a C in her case.

My sister is a Katharine, and she's always had to spell it, but it's a lovely name. She's Kath to family and Kat to friends most of the time anyway. I think there are so many variations C/K, a/e, ryn/rine that whichever way you choose they are likely to have to specify.
Nowadays people spell perfectly obvious names in daft unique ways so even if you are called Fred you may have to spell it for some people.

I know women with each of the spellings and they are all nice. You can't be precious about people spelling it wrongly in cards etc though, I get every spelling there is but it doesn't really bother me. Even had 'Kafrin'! I also get called Kathrine (to rhyme with shrine) and Kathleen on a regular basis. That's the West of Scotland for you!

messtin surely you mean Phredd?

tuesdaynightclub phredd it is!

I'm Katharine with a K at the start & an A in the middle. I've never found it an issue at all - I would say that on the whole people tend to spell it with an A in the middle. I use a shortening (which the whole wide world can spell) day to day anyway.

I don't think I've ever met a Katharine/Kate/Cathy/Kitty/Cat who didn't like her name, so that has to be a good thing.

Exactly what MadCatLady said!!!