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Original poster

Three questions

45 replies

misslucy92 · 28/12/2022 19:53

I have three questions, would love to read your replies:

  1. Is Colin too dated and do you like it?

  2. Is Alisa (ah-lee-sa) a good choice or will it always be mixed up with Alyssa or Alisha?

  3. If you wanted to name your daughter Kate what would be your favourite long form? I was thinking Katherine or Kaitlin.

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FayCarew · 28/12/2022 20:03

1 Yes, it's too dated. There are nicer names.
2 I'd get it mixed up with Elisa and Lisa
3 Katherine or Katharine. Kaitlin is awful.

IET · 28/12/2022 20:06
  1. too dated for my tastes and from the wrong era for my tastes. I don't mind other old fashioned names but I would club Colin with Gavin and Nigel
  2. I don't like it and there are so many similar names. I'd choose something less wishy washy
  3. Catherine shortened to Kate (would have been my choice for dd except DH vetoed)! Fwiw, we also had Elizabeth, Sarah, Maria and Emma on our list
SquigglePigs · 28/12/2022 20:46

1 - for me, yes I think it's dated and I wouldn't choose it.

2 - I think it's lovely but I think she will keep being called Alyssa. I have a similar name with similar pronunciation issues.

3 - I prefer the spellings Kathryn and Caitlin but honestly could go either way - they were both on my shortlist!

JosieK8 · 28/12/2022 20:54
  1. yes Colin is too dated sorry and I put it in the same bag as Brian and Ian and would lead to Colin the caterpillar jokes
  2. Yes I would have pronounced it same as alyssa
  3. I would say Katherine
MolesOnPoles · 28/12/2022 20:57
  1. Very dated. Col is OK so potentially could be pulled off if you and your son are extreamly cool and thick skinned.
  2. I’d assume it’s pronounced like Alyssa. So many girls at the moment seem to be named with just vowels that they blend into one.
  3. Kate is an excellent and currently underused name. I like any variant of Kathrine.
crabette · 28/12/2022 22:36

I would have initially said Colin is too dated, but actually given it's a Bridgerton name and the others (Daphne, Eloise, etc) are all currently popular, it is maybe due an early comeback! Objectively it's actually a lovely sound.

I read Alisa as Ah-Leesa as my sister is Lisa, but could see how it may be confused with Alyssa. Elisa is a lovely option as an alternative.

Definitely Katherine or possibly Katerina / Katrina. I love Caitlin but not with a K, sorry!

crabette · 28/12/2022 22:37

P.S. Re: Colin, I also do quite like Coll?

HowForNow · 28/12/2022 22:41
  1. A little dated but still useable, if you're nor English I'd possibly not even find it unusual 2. I like it and would pronounce as you indicated 3. I usually prefer long names that can be shortened but in this case I prefer Kate as it is, lovely name in its own right.
Awwlookatmybabyspider · 28/12/2022 23:22
  1. Yes its dated. Its not quite old fashioned enough to be cool yet.
However if I heard it on a baby I'd assume and and of course ask if he she was named after anyone. I'd never imagine this day and age that someone would choose it just because they like it.

2 I love Alicia and Alissa/Alyssa .

3 I'd personally just use Kate. Probably Caitlin though on the BC if I had to make a choice. Its more fun and friendlier sounding that Katherine.

Kanaloa · 28/12/2022 23:24

Not sure if Colin is dated, but I don’t think it’s nice.

Alisa will be constantly mixed up with other similar sounding names. Ailsa, Isla, Alisha, Elissa, Alyssa, Alicia, blah blah.

Caitlin is my favourite, but Catherine is plenty nice too. Kate is also nice on its own, but either one is nice for a longer version.

ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 28/12/2022 23:28

Similar to other posters:
No to Colin.
No to Alisa.
Katherine because Caitlin with a K is awful.

TenThousandSpoons · 28/12/2022 23:28
  1. Yes Colin is dated and no I don’t like it
  2. it’s ok
  3. Love just “Kate” as a stand-alone name.
DramaAlpaca · 28/12/2022 23:30

1 Dated, but I don't mind it as a name

2 Not keen, it's a bit bland, like a cross between Alicia and Lisa

3 Katherine, or just simply Kate. Definitely not Kaitlin.

LadyGAgain · 29/12/2022 00:34
  1. Dated. Great for a dog
  2. Confusing but also lovely.
  3. No need for lo fed version. Kate is beautiful
IamnotwhouthinkIam · 29/12/2022 02:25

Yes - Colin Farrell aside, it's a bit of a Martin, Alan, Brian sort of name outside Ireland I think (ie. your Dad/Grandad).

Yes- Alisa looks like you couldn't decide between Lisa and Alicia imo, it's certainly uncommon and I suspect some will spell it phonetically as Aleesa on hearing it or pronounce it like Alyssa if seeing it written down.

Kate as a diminutive for Katherine is the most traditional and avoids trends - and is lovely too imo. Kaitlin is even more subject to trends and plus will probably get Caitlin/Kaitlyn as well. The Katherine's I know in RL at least only have to say "Katherine with a K" sometimes.

lljkk · 29/12/2022 02:44

I don't think even Colin Powell liked his name.
I prefer Alyssa spelling.
Kathryn for Kate is my vote, but Caitlin, Catherine, Katharine, Katrina ... they all work. Not Kate from Kathleen, though.

Sugarfree23 · 29/12/2022 02:46

1, It's dated but I wouldn't let that put you off, it's a bit boring, but it might sound new and unusual to the next generation. Everyone has heard it and knows how to spell it and say it.

2, Alisa I initially miss read as Ailsa. I'll assume its Ay-lisa an Ay as in Aston rather than an A in Apple

3, Katherine I don't like Caitlin spelt with a K. Although I'd be more tempted to go with Kate or Katy

IET · 29/12/2022 10:16

Is Caitlin with a C not pronounced Cat-leen though? I don't think it's the same name as Kaitlin / Katelyn or however you spell it.

Sugarfree23 · 29/12/2022 11:09

Caitlin with a c is the original spelling of the Irish name Cait-lin definitely not Cat-leen

Fivebeanchilli · 29/12/2022 11:16

  1. I can see that it might be due for a revival but I don't like it. All the Colins I have met have been annoying so that might colour my perspective. Also it's pretty ubiquitously known as the name of the caterpillar cake nowadays.

  2. I prefer the sound of Alisa but yes I think people will confuse it with Alyssa.

  3. I think Kate is fine as a stand-alone name but if you want a longer one then Katherine. Kaitlyn isn't nice imo.

IET · 29/12/2022 11:25

@Sugarfree23 which part of Ireland are you from? Why I am from it is definitely not pronounced kate-lin

Sugarfree23 · 29/12/2022 11:27

I'm Scotland bug I've certainly never heard anyone pronunce it Cat-leen

IET · 29/12/2022 11:30

Oh right. Well ime, in Ireland (it being an Irish name as you say) it isn't pronounced kate-lin and that wouldn't make sense in the Irish language afaik. My Irish language skills are extremely rusty though, so maybe a proper Irish speaker might be able to help

I love Scotland btw and used to live there in my youth 😊

IET · 29/12/2022 11:35

forvo.com/word/caitl%C3%ADn/

This is how I've heard it in Ireland

Luredbyapomegranate · 29/12/2022 11:36

Is Colin too dated and do you like it?

I quite like it but it’s a bit dated

Is Alisa (ah-lee-sa) a good choice or will it always be mixed up with Alyssa or Alisha?

Alicia (AH-liss-ee-uh) is much prettier IMO. Alisa will get muddled up with more established names yes.

If you wanted to name your daughter Kate what would be your favourite long form? I was thinking Katherine or Kaitlin.

Katherine is lovely, Caitlin is as long as it’s spelt properly, Catriona or Catrin also