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Original poster

Kathy? Cathy?

32 replies

NotYoMomma · 11/08/2013 10:52

My mum and Gran are Kathleen and DH and myself are considering Katherine for our DD 2 due in October.

We know a few little Kates and Katies in particular so were wondering what people thought of the nickname Kathy?

is it totally old lady?
or cool and retro?

dm goes by Kath and dgm goes Kathleen or Kate?
we could maybe use kitty but my dads Mum was kitty and dm hated her :(

should we go with C or K

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CarriMarie · 11/08/2013 11:21

I think if you spell it Katherine, go with Kathy, or Kitty is nice too. My sil is a Kathleen, known as Kathy to one side of family and Kate to others.

formicadinosaur · 11/08/2013 14:07

Love Kathleen. Not keen on Kathy. Leena?

Queazy · 11/08/2013 18:44

How about Kathryn - you could shorten it to Kat? I know a lovely Kat so a bit biased. I don't like Kathy - very mumsy x

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 11/08/2013 20:33

Not keen on Kathy, it does sound a bit old or mumsy.

I like Kate or Cat. Regardless of what you call her, she'll find her own nn at school. We have a Catherine in our family and she's known as Cat to her friends.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 11/08/2013 20:35

Kathy is my mum, but I think it'd be lovely on a little girl.

Rhubarbgarden · 11/08/2013 22:11

Heathcliff, It's me, your Cathy, I'm come hoooooooome, let me in at your windooooooow

Great name.

Saffyz · 11/08/2013 22:43

If you're using Katherine, I'd go for Kathy with a K, not a C. Kathy makes a nice change from Katie/Kate.

Inclusionist · 11/08/2013 22:52

I think any traditional spelling of Catherine - Kathleen that you want, with Cat or Kit as a nn.

The Cat - Kit nn are very of the moment and the longer names are unarguably proper names. What's not to like??

formicadinosaur · 11/08/2013 22:55

Kate and Katie are lovely

dufflefluffle · 11/08/2013 22:56

I have a gorgeous friend Cathy..and another friend Catherine. Love the more unusual spelling (these days) of Catherine but any spelling I think tis a beautiful name.

MissWimpyDimple · 11/08/2013 23:08

Is Kathy really that old and mumsy? I like it. But only with a K

Queazy · 12/08/2013 06:35

I'm afraid so - I really like the name, but don't know any Kathy's who are under the age of 40/50. Kath/Kat/Kathryn/Katelyn/Katharine all work tho x

exoticfruits · 12/08/2013 06:43

I think that there is quite a lot not to like about Cat and Kit!
Why not just go for Catherine or Katherine and see what evolves as a nickname? I like Kate best.

lljkk · 12/08/2013 08:52

I know a trendy popular very self-confident 11yo Kathy (full name = Kathryn).

Kids don't know anyone named Kathy so it means nothing to them as an old lady name. The only Kathy I can think of is on the Archers!

VivaLeBeaver · 12/08/2013 08:55

Katherine is dd's middle name. I like the name, loads of different nicknames.

Weegiemum · 12/08/2013 08:58

I'm mum to a 13 year old Katherine, nn Kathy (her choice - and her friends' choice too!). I really didn't want Katy/Katie, but one of the reasons we chose her name was that it had many options.

I (obviously) don't think it's old fashioned or mumsy! My Kathy is gorgeous, popular, confident, artistic, clever and extremely stylish makes me feel old and mumsy .

We did just let it evolve though, she was only ever Katherine until about 9 or 10.

specialmagiclady · 12/08/2013 09:10

One day about 18 years ago, someone said to their friends and family - for mumsnet did not exist, my friends, mumsnet did not exist - "I like the name Maisy/Ruby/Alfie/Sid, is it cool or is it a bit granny/grandpa?" And their mum, the granny-to-be said "gosh what a terribly old-fashioned name". But the mother-to-be thought "I know you think that, mother, but this is the name that came in the night, the name that floated into my open mind, presented itself to my belly and said 'I'm here!' And so I will name my child Maisy/Ruby/Alfie/Sid no matter what you say."

And then there were millions of them.

Go for it.

MrsDibble · 12/08/2013 13:54

Katherine is the traditional spelling and for that reason I went with it for my daughter's middle name. I think it is the most classy way to spell it, due to being the original.

I like Kathy as a shortened version (I think if you are spelling it with a K you avoid the Wuthering Heights connection). Kate is the traditional short form and I like it because of that.

Caff2 · 12/08/2013 20:37

Ahem. Look at my nickname. Depending on where you live, are you happy with the double "f" ending? ;)

Caff2 · 12/08/2013 20:39

In my considerable experience, Cathy will become Cath. Or indeed Caff. ;)
And I say "with a "C" a lot on the phone to people as well.

MrsOakenshield · 12/08/2013 20:40

not keen on either, sorry. I always think Kathy looks wrong and Cathy reminds of of the ghastly Cathy in Wuthering Heights!

Caitlin?

bridgetsmum · 12/08/2013 20:42

My dd is Catherine and we call her KitCat. Some of her friends call her Cat or Cath.
My sis is Catherine too and her name is never shortened

Original poster
NotYoMomma · 12/08/2013 20:43

Caitlin is DD1s middle name Grin

I am kicking myself for using it. I am raging that I did that what a pleb!

I am just so stuck and DH is no help

OP posts:
Caff2 · 12/08/2013 20:55

Despite all my "all night caf" jokes experiences, and above, I've always quite liked my name, and I love going round to my mum's and calling "It's me, it's Cathy, I've come home!"

My father did go through a phase when I was a teenager of calling me up and "hilariously" leaving me answer phone messages saying "Cathy come home".

I'm considerably under 40, I don't know of any other Cathys who are though.

MissWimpyDimple · 13/08/2013 00:02

I'm one and I'm under 40 Wink

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