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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Are there any K names that are not tacky?

447 replies

JCes · 12/06/2026 13:00

Are there any feminine K names that are more traditional and old-fashioned? I really dislike modern and trendy sounding names. I also dislike C names that have recently been turned into K names. The Kylie, Kaylee, Kadence, Kallie, Kinley, Kaitlyn, Krystal, Karly, Khloe, Kenzie type of names are not for me. They're all very similar in style to me, and I just find them to be tacky. They also feel very mean girl/bully. (This won't make sense to everyone, but I'm sure some will know what I mean.)

An example of a name that I do like is Katherine, but there are simply too many in the family. I also like just plain Kay, but it seems a bit underwhelming as a first name. It's more often a middle name and shortening of other K names. Karen is no longer a possibility for obvious reasons...

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
BunnyLake · 12/06/2026 18:04

Karlie like the supermodel Karlie Kloss

Sometimessmiling · 12/06/2026 18:08

Sesquioxides · 12/06/2026 13:09

Katrina? Very popular in Scotland in the 80s. As was Kimberley all over the UK. Kathleen? Kate? Katy? If you’re open to C, how about Catriona, Claudia, Christina, Clarissa, Clarice or Claire?

Edited

Catriona is Katrina in Scots

SquigglePigs · 12/06/2026 18:10

Kathryn
Katie
Kathleen
Katrina
Kristen
Kristen
Kayleigh/Kayley
Kimberly/Kimberley
Keira/Kira

Goldielocks2p22 · 12/06/2026 18:24

Kendall, Kennedy, Kaia, Kiera, Kyra, Kora,Kova, Kiki, Kairo, Kiana, Katerina

Charlize43 · 12/06/2026 18:27

Kristin Scott Thomas.

Nobody could ever accuse her of being tacky. A very classy, elegant woman.

HandsFaceTeeth · 12/06/2026 18:30

I think that Kay is lovely and different and not at all underwhelming.

Asiana · 12/06/2026 18:44

Kaycee, Kendra, Kirsten, Kirby, Ksenia, Kaia, Kai, Kamilla, Kassandra (love that one), Kennedy, Keisha, Kamala 😀

NamingNoNames · 12/06/2026 18:46

@LiquoriceAllsorts2 , It's Kez-eye-ah but the Kez-ya pronunciation seems to be taking over. It's from the Bible.

@ERthree , Kirra, a Gaelic name. Only used if they have dark hair as it means dark lady. That's Ciara (Keira).
Kirra is native Australian (?)

@NashEnquirer , Also, just a polite reminder that there can be more than one "correct" spelling of a name And a polite reply saying that your post seems passive aggressive. Smile

OceanKitten · 12/06/2026 18:51

Kiara, modern version of the Italian name Chiara ( hard 'C') kee- ara, quite pretty in both variations of spelling.

gardenhedge · 12/06/2026 18:51

Why don't you just pick a name you like and not worry about what letter it starts with? K isn't any better or worse than any other letter.

Asiana · 12/06/2026 18:52

Forgot Kelsie

OceanKitten · 12/06/2026 18:52

Why did the op want to have a girl's name beginning with the letter K again?

PrincessOfPreschool · 12/06/2026 18:53

Katerina
Kirsten/ Kristin

momager22 · 12/06/2026 18:54

Kitty is lovely and I like Kirsten

Cakeandcardio · 12/06/2026 18:59

Katherine on birth certificate. Katy used every day?

NeedToKnow101 · 12/06/2026 19:00

NeedToKnow101 · 12/06/2026 15:44

Kermit.

Sorry that’s a boy’s name.

EdgarAllanPoesMirror · 12/06/2026 19:06

Kristin
Katarina
Katia
Ksenia
Kim
Karina
???

OceanKitten · 12/06/2026 19:09

Karma, Kinsleigh, Keonna, Keeley.

Kitty's a sweet name, has that retro vibe and inspires thoughts of cute kitties rather than bullies, and can be changed to Katharine or Kathleen if more appropriate as an adult.

Ifyounevergiveup · 12/06/2026 19:18

Another vote for Kathryn as I love that version of how it’s spelled (although it didn’t do poor little Kathryn Howard much good…)

ClovisWrites · 12/06/2026 19:42

Kerry is a nice name, particularly if you have any Irish in your family.

PistachioTiramisu · 12/06/2026 19:43

Kordelia

deeahgwitch · 12/06/2026 19:49

Katie
Kathy
Kim
Katrin
Keeley
Keelin

moonshinepoursthroughmywindow · 12/06/2026 20:06

With Kathleen I can't think of a diminutive except Kath and perhaps Lena?

Anything that can be short for Katherine can be short for Kathleen. I've known Kats and Kates and at least one Kay who were officially Kathleen.

NamingNoNames · 12/06/2026 20:09

With Kathleen I can't think of a diminutive except Kath and perhaps Lena?
I know a Kay and a Katy.

Mare2011 · 12/06/2026 20:13

Kaira

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