Kate- classic or 'meh'?

[spring1bee]

I posted a few weeks ago about the name Mary-Kate which I really love but DH isn't as keen and much prefers Kate on it's own. I do think its lovely but is it a bit bland? I'm not particularly keen on longer versions such as Katherine or Katerina. And how many little Kate's do you know?

Thanks in advance :)

I love Kate. Classy and classic. Sharp enough not to sound bland if that makes sense. Might end up as a Katy...

I don't know any little Kates but I love the name. I know a few Mary-Kates but prefer either name by itself.

I ADORE Kate. I would have used it for DD but it's DH's sister. Although she is always Katie, never Kate so maybe I could pull it off if I have another DD. Though I already have a Margaret and a William among my three so I might come across as a bit Royal-obsessed

Classic. I love it.

It's a lovely classic name.

Kate is lovely. Mary-Kate is a bit white trailer-trash IMO.

Classic, timeless and lovely. I prefer Katherine with Kate as a nn though

I like it!
I'm a Kate and I've always liked being a Kate. I don't think I've ever met any other proper Kates.
However, I'm always asked what my full proper name is...but I'm just Kate.
One college lecturer called me Katherine for two years but I was too shy to put him right.

I love Kate, but for me its a definite nn, and we always seem to add an ee sound on the end of nn's so sadly couldn't use it

I like it but the only thing that would put me off is people not pronouncing the T.

Mary Kate is horrid

Kate is lovely

I'm not keen but that may be because the only Kate I know is an annoying compulsive liar type. If I detached myself from the connection I make then it's an okay name but still not completely my cup of tea.

Classic

It's my name and I loathed it as a child! I've come to terms with it now and can see it's all right really - it is "classic" and doesn't seem to date - but I still don't love it.

Mary Kate definitely not trailer trash. I'm from the American Midwest, I would know. :o

Love the name Kate!

Can't agree more with PPs. I love the name Kate (as is, not short for anything!). My niece is named Kate so it's off the table for me, unfortunately.

The British equivalent Yank. "chav" maybe.
My DM would have said Mary Kate is "common".

I love Kate. Only didn't consider it for DD because my sil is called this.

I'm a Kate.

In my thirties I'm just coming around to the idea that Kate is a good name.

The problem with it is that there's nowhere to go. It's a short nickname already. I had battles with teachers at school who insisted that my 'real' name 'must' be Katherine.

It sounds frank and not pretty and to be frank I have really grown into my name. I'm sensible, unfrivolous (ooh have I coined a new word?) and too frank for my own good!

My frustrations with having a name that can't be played with and that has only one syllable have led me to decide that I will give my children names that can be shortened or nicknamed or double-barrelled with a middle name at least.

I find it a bit dull and earnest, sorry.

Kate on its own seems too abrupt and nicknamey to me. I know you said you don't like Katherine as a longer form, but what about something slightly more unusual, like Kathleen or Katya, or even a name that could have Kate as a less intuitive but still workable nickname - Keturah, Kezia, Karen?

If my ones a girl, I have Catherine-Annie picked out. Would be Kate for short. It's my grandmothers name - feel free to borrow if you like it - I want it back in 7 months though ;)