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Original poster

Kate- classic or 'meh'?

66 replies

spring1bee · 30/12/2015 23:31

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 :)

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weegiemum · 31/12/2015 14:23

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 · 31/12/2015 14:25

Classic. Kate is lovely.

HPsauciness · 31/12/2015 14:28

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

fredandme123 · 31/12/2015 14:49

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 · 31/12/2015 15:36

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 · 31/12/2015 16:24

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 · 31/12/2015 16:29

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

stopitcaroline · 01/01/2016 10:14

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 · 01/01/2016 10:28

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 · 01/01/2016 10:28

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

Scarydinosaurs · 01/01/2016 10:28

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

Original poster
spring1bee · 01/01/2016 12:02

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

OP posts:
Scarydinosaurs · 01/01/2016 14:41

No, I completely agree- Katherine > Cate Grin

Scarydinosaurs · 01/01/2016 14:41

Agh! Kate > Cate!

SenecaFalls · 01/01/2016 17:00

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 · 01/01/2016 17:29

I find it meh!

Kathleen I love though.

Also like Caitlyn & Catrina.

CwtchMeQuick · 01/01/2016 17:39

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 · 02/01/2016 04:31

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 · 02/01/2016 04:50

White trailer-trash, good lord.

MrsLeighHalfpenny · 02/01/2016 10:42

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

bookbook · 02/01/2016 10:46

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

neonrainbow · 02/01/2016 13:05

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 · 02/01/2016 13:45

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 · 02/01/2016 13:51

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

froggyjump · 02/01/2016 14:02

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