Opinions on Katherine?

[TriangleShape]

We have a Theodore, who goes by Teddy.

We like Katherine, with the NN Katie.

Does it 'go'?

General opinions on Katherine?

[Pipilangstrumpf]

My kids' names are not popular at all (outside top 100) or boring imo , but don't have to be spelled out as they are well known names, spelt as pronounced.

So a name doesn't have to be boring or common for it to have an 'easy' one way of spelling.

[ClaraLane]

I'm a Katherine and I love it. I've never had any nicknames, always just been known by my full name. I'm used to spelling both my first and surname so I don't see the spelling variations as a problem at all.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

My s-in-l has been known to spell my name wrong. This is quite a feat as she must have seen it written down millions of times because I share it with one of the most divisive figures in recent UK history.

I rarely have to spell my name out, but it does happen sometimes. My husband occasionally does because a variant spelling of his name common in the US is possibly more familiar to some people here these days. His name has never been massively popular, but it's a perfectly ordinary name.

My son and daughter have such well-known names that spelling has never been an issue. My daughter's name can be spelled two ways, but one is about a million times more common and that's the one we went for. My son's, as far as I know, has one spelling only in English. It makes life simpler. They don't seem to mind having 'boring' names.

[BertrandRussell]

I don't think there is anyone in my extended family who had to spell out their name regularly.My full name is one usually spelled with a K but mine has a C but I never use it. There is a Brian who occasionally gets a "y". And a Katharine/Catherine that I usually mix up. But apart from that.....Even the Irish names are ones that are common enough out of Ireland not to be a problem.

[Pipilangstrumpf]

Really? Most names need constant spelling out ?

[JustGettingStarted]

I was joking about Jayne having it easy. Point is, almost every name has a stupid, "creative" variant that means even the most basic name could be confusing to someone who went to school with Jayne, Haylee, Laireesa, etc.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Jayne would certainly not have it easy as I would assume she was Jane!

I think there's a difference between some of the names/pronunciations people consider and Katherine (or any other classic name with a common variant spelling).

'My name is Katherine.'
'Which spelling of Katherine is it?'
'Starts with a K and erine at the end.'

Job done.

'My name is [something the other person has never heard before but sounds like Cerise].'
'Spelled C-e-r-i-s-e?'
'No, C-h-r-y-s-e-i-s.'
'Sorry, I thought you said your name was Cerise?'
'Yes, that's right.'
'But Chryseis is pronounced Krisayis, I thought.'
'I pronounce it Cerise.'
'OK...'

[One of my children was at school with a Chryseis pronounced Cerise. I would imagine it has caused her a fair amount of annoyance over the years.]

[JustGettingStarted]

Very few names don't need spelling out.

Except maybe Jayne. Jayne has it really easy, lucky girl.

[Pipilangstrumpf]

I'm surprised how on some threads people advise against a name based on constantly spelling it out. But not many seem bothered about having to spell out Kathryn, Katharine, Katherine, Catherine, Catharine.... That would bother me personally.

[minipie]

I think it's lovely. Yes I know quite a few in their 30s but so what. I also know lots of 30 something Alices, Eleanors, Emilys, Sophies, Elizabeths and plenty of other names still popular today. Some names are just classic, that's why they get reused in every generation.

[Bellasima20]

Boooooring. So many Katherine's and Kate's in their 30s. Must know at least a dozen in my social circle. Even if I didn't it's just so deeply underwhelming and ordinary, nothing stands out about it at all. Is that what you want for your daughter?

[CrystalMcPistol]

Also, Teddy and Katie? Sounds a bit Forever Friends.

[CrystalMcPistol]

It's a really boring name. And will be frequently misspelled but I suppose it's not a name she'll ever be embarrassed by.

I don't like Katie though, it's very twee even for a chubby newborn. Kate is a much better choice.

[wesH]

Lovely name, but looks stronger and more refined with a C

[munchkinmaster]

I think there are a few 40 year old Katie's, Catherine's about so feels more common?

I've a Katherine (Kate). I banned the use of Katie but inevitably it slips in.

[OllyBJolly]

Beautiful, classic, strong, feminine name.

[Ankleswingers]

Scatty.... that's because it's a beautiful name!!

[Ankleswingers]

Lovely but prefer nn Kate to Katie.

[Scattymere]

Genuinely shocked at how much love there is for this name. To me it sounds plain, average, ordinary, run of the mill, boring. Not offensive- as its not interesting or exciting enough to be so, but definitely not particularly pretty/feminine or elegant sounding either.

[Sophronia]

I love Katherine

[Barefootcontessa84]

Lovely name and definitely not overused - surprisingly low down on the ONS statistics - as PP said, only 187 born last year

[jessica29054]

It's a lovely name but personally I'd avoid because I hate Kath.

[HotChocolateTime]

Katherine is a lovely, timeless, and classic name, with lots of nn choices as she grows up.

[WhatsGoingOnEh]

Oh, and the spelling has never been an issue. Everyone can spell Kate, and I very, very rarely use the full version.

[WhatsGoingOnEh]

I LOVE IT. I never like the names on MN :) but I love Theodore/Teddy/Ted and I LOVE Katherine. I'm totally biased though, as I'm a Katherine, and I love the name and the spelling.

I was a Katie from 0-11, then my Mum suggested I change it to Kate when we moved and I started secondary. That's a bit controlling of her, looking back on it, but I love being a Kate. I love my name.

Kates are never sensible, though. Be warned. Every other Kate I've met has been slightly off the wall. :)