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 :)

[weegiemum]

i have a Katherine (15) because i wanted her to have options (and i'd loved the name for years).

i was happy for her to be Kate if she wanted but since she was 9 she chose Kathy.

I've always liked the idea of a dc having options and deciding themselves on nicknames. i also like longer names for "official"purposes, though i know this makes me hopelessly old fashioned on MN!

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Classic. Kate is lovely.

[HPsauciness]

Kate is a lovely name, I've only known nice people called Kate!

[fredandme123]

I've been waiting for a thread about my name!!! I'm of k-middy's generation and I do meet a few who are just Kate like me. I've no nicknames or shortenings and have never had the mick taken for my name if that helps! Haven't met a baby Kate yet so don't think she would have three in her class.

[FartyTette]

I have a Kate.... She's adorable (but I'm a bit biased). Famous Kate's include:
Kate Adie
Kate Atkinson
Kate Beckinsale

Alll excellent role models!

[Wafflenose]

I have one. She's 10 and thinks her name is brilliant. She is confident, with a strong personality, and as her name is strong and to the point, it fits perfectly. We've only ever come across one other Kate of a similar age, and they don't go to the same school or anything. I was told in no uncertain terms on here that she had to have a 'proper' (longer) name for the birth certificate. We didn't agree with that (clearly) - Kate has been a standalone name for ages. We gave her a long middle name instead.

[ProfGrammaticus]

Kate is a great name. It's not a nickname for Karen though, any more than it is for Bob (a la Blackadder.)

[stopitcaroline]

Mary Kate is absolutely not a trailer trash name. Cheerful Yank has the Midwest covered, and I'm from the American South, so I should also know.

Ahem, anyway. I love love love the name Kate. I prefer it as a nn for Katherine. I think it's the ultimate classic, elegant name.

[emilybrontescorset]

I've always liked Kate.

I don't like double barrelled names so Mary Kate would be a no for me.
Also can't get past ' Mary-Kate and Ashleigh.'

[doceodocere]

I love it too. I only know one child named Kate.

[Scarydinosaurs]

I prefer the Catherine and Cate spelling, it is a nice name, a lovely classic choice.

[spring1bee]

Thanks so much everyone. Really happy with all the positive feedback! :)

INeedNewShoes I understand what you're saying. I have a 4 syllable name with loads of options for nn's/pet names. My sister is a Clare and never liked it for the reasons you stated but I feel there's a bit more leeway with Kate- Katie/y, Kat/Kit, I knew a Katherine at school who always went by Kate and people would call her KK or Kates. It has given me something to think about though as I know my sister always hated that nothing could really be done with her name!

FartyTette don't forget Kate Winslet! Always been a fan of hers.

Scarydinosaurs I love the Cate spelling too but as you say I think that only works as a version of Catherine, not sure I could get away with Cate as a stand-alone name

[Scarydinosaurs]

No, I completely agree- Katherine > Cate

[Scarydinosaurs]

Agh! Kate > Cate!

[SenecaFalls]

I'm from the American South, too. And may I just gently remind folk that "trailer trash" is offensive. It's not really on to refer to human beings as "trash" because of their race or economic or housing situation.

[diddl]

I find it meh!

Kathleen I love though.

Also like Caitlyn & Catrina.

[CwtchMeQuick]

I'm a kate, short for kathryn. I love my name. I'm in my twenties, everyone called me Katie as a child but I've switched to kate now.
If I wasnt a kate and had a daughter, I love Caitlin nn Cate

[CheerfulYank]

I did that too Weegie. My DD is Margaret Rose and I think it's nice that she'll be able to choose from a variety of nn if she wants. I thought about Maisie for a bit but she is Maggie for now or, if you ask her, "Maggie Wose". :)

[aoife24]

White trailer-trash, good lord.

[MrsLeighHalfpenny]

FFS Senneca! Is it cold up there on your high horse?

[bookbook]

My 27 year old DD is a Kate - . Her only annoyance is people calling her Katie, which she hates!

[neonrainbow]

Why is senneca being accused of being on a high horse? Calling someone trailer trash because of their name is bloody horrible and more people should challenge statements like that on this board in particular cos there's some right nasty snobbery goes on!

[stopitcaroline]

Yeah, I agree. I'm guilty of sometimes using the expression "white trash," but I am self aware enough to hate myself a little afterwards. It's really pretty bad. I should just stick to redneck, which might also be offensive but is at least being reclaimed.

[AmysTiara]

It's pretty bland to me sorry. It's better than Katherine though. That's an awful sounding name.

[froggyjump]

Kate is great, was our girls name for DC 1 but he ended up being a boy.