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Original poster

Can Kate just be Kate or does its need to be Catherine ?

26 replies

Mumblyboo · 14/09/2013 21:56

I'm just unsure...... Love love love Kate but not convinced by Catherine.... They seem like different names to me? Indulge me and tell me what you imagine a Kate to be like and what's a Catherine like?

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bangersmashandbeans · 14/09/2013 21:57

My sister is just Kate! I agree that it's a name in its own right these days.

yegodsandlittlefishes · 14/09/2013 21:58

I had a school friend who was Kate. Lovely name.

Moxiegirl · 14/09/2013 22:00

I'm Catherine, never been Kate!
Katherine more likely shortened to Kate I think.

sausageandorangepickle · 14/09/2013 22:02

Kate was my favourite girls name when I was expecting DS1. Definitely a name in it's own right, you can still soften it to Katie for a baby/toddler. Katherine is a lovely name too but there are so many shortening options (Kath, Kathy, Kitty, Kat, Rine, Reenee) as well as Kate that other people may not call her Kate.

Sorry, you asked what they would be like - Kate would be straightforward, fun loving, outdoorsy, Katherine more academic and dreamy (both lovely though!!)

KatoPotato · 14/09/2013 22:02

I'm Kate. Christened just Kate 32 years ago to much mumblings from old Nana...

It's a Brillso name!

melrose · 14/09/2013 22:09

Another Kate ere, christened that way 37 years ago. Love my name and fairly timeless, I know Kate's from 2 to 90

BlackberryandNettle · 14/09/2013 22:14

I like Katie, would probably have Katherine as a full name. Like Kate too, pretty, classic and suits all ages. I was wondering about an alternative to Katherine as full name to be shortened - can't think of anything I like better though.

TheRealHousewifeOfSomewhere · 14/09/2013 22:20

I am a Kate. Just Kate not short for anything. I do sometimes get called Katherine by some people, usually posh little old ladies who seem to have an issue with just Kate in its own right. Very rare though.

KatoPotato · 14/09/2013 23:04
Saffyz · 14/09/2013 23:04

I'd use Katherine/Kathleen/Katrina with a "K" for nickname Kate/Katie, and Catherine for nickname Cath/Cathy.

FobblyWoof · 15/09/2013 11:33

I had a friend who was "just" Kate when I was little (she's still my friend now) and I had no idea it was short for Katherine until I was in my late teens. I think Kate is a lovely name

gingerbead · 15/09/2013 11:35

I love just Kate for a first name. I know a few Kates without it being Katherine.

SPBisResisting · 15/09/2013 11:36

I am just Kate

cathpip · 15/09/2013 11:37

My mum insisted that I be called Catherine with a C so that it couldn't be shortened to Kate. (Dad wanted Katherine so it could!)

InTheRedCorner · 15/09/2013 11:39

I was Christined Kathryn and called Katie and I now call myself Kate.

I really like the name Katrina

Bunbaker · 15/09/2013 11:41

I like the name Kate/Katie. Just be aware that many people will assume it is short for Catherine/Kathleen etc.

Klootami · 15/09/2013 11:47

I am just Kate too, not even got a middle name!

Primrose123 · 15/09/2013 11:57

You can have Caitlin, and then shorten it to Kate or Cait.

MortifiedAdams · 15/09/2013 12:01

Of course Kate can be just Kate! My dsis is Katie just Katie and she has a few Kate friends too.

I really like it.

Mutley77 · 15/09/2013 13:02

My DD has a middle name of Kate after my great grandma (who I am pretty sure was just Kate).

skyeskyeskye · 15/09/2013 13:06

I know a Kathryn Kate and a Catherine Cate.

Katy is nice for a girl.

Alisvolatpropiis · 15/09/2013 15:35

I know two just Kate's who're now in their mid 20's.

EnjoyEverySandwich · 15/09/2013 17:38

Catherine or Katherine. Let her have some choice rather than fob her off with a monosyllable.

My friend's daughter is Catherine with a C, but is called Kate. The spelling doesn't preclude it.

Alisvolatpropiis · 15/09/2013 17:44

That's true Enjoy I knew a Katie whose full name was Catherine.

andiu · 15/09/2013 17:54

I have finally, at the grand old age of 48, changed my name by deed poll to Kate from Catherine because I am so fed up of having to write the "wrong" name on official documents when I think of myself only as Kate and have never ever been called Catherine. I felt like an imposter signing Catherine!