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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:
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NamingNoNames · 12/06/2026 16:19

Kendra

Restcoz · Today 13:32
Why does everyone misspell Kiera (proper spelling) as "Keira"? That would put me off that name completely!
It's a 'K' name however you spell it. Ms Knightley spells it your 'wrong' way.

@Poppins94 Its correct spellings is Ciara, with a hard C sound., Keira has been a name for quite some time. I see them as different names

sillimummie · 12/06/2026 16:21

Kirsty, karoline, Kaya, Kaye, Karen, Kara

Blushingm · 12/06/2026 16:22

Kathleen

OtterandaRock · 12/06/2026 16:22

Kavita
Keiko
Keyna
Kilmeny
Kinga
Kiri

I would choose Katharine for the birth certificate, but call the child something else in everyday life. Ka, Kat, Katie, Rina, Trina...
Unless her sibling already has that name.

Blushingm · 12/06/2026 16:23

Kate or Katie

user293948849167 · 12/06/2026 16:23

Katherine is lovely
Also Keira, Krista, Karina, Kara, Kirsten/Kirsty

HopeIsAScaryThing · 12/06/2026 16:24

Kalena (Hawaiian)
Kelly
Kaia
Kirsten
Kendra
Kara
Kate/Katie
Kerenza

Daygloboo · 12/06/2026 16:26

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...

My sister is called Karina and I love.that name. It's derived from Katherine. You cant go wrong with Katherine really and there are so many things you can do with it.

RafaFan · 12/06/2026 16:26

Kanchana
Keltie
Kenda

Wild3 · 12/06/2026 16:27

Katie

Newsenmum · 12/06/2026 16:27

K is a tricky letter but

Katarina
Keira
Katalina

OceanKitten · 12/06/2026 16:28

I had been thinking recently that I've begun to like the name Kathleen more that the more popular Katherine.
However I really like the diminutives Katie, Kat, Kate of course, Kay, but never Kathy. Kitty is a name you don't hear often, and I kind of like it.
With Kathleen I can't think of a diminutive except Kath and perhaps Lena? Neither of which I like.
Kirsty was popular many years ago, as was Kristen., but they don't have that traditional vibe.

Fern95 · 12/06/2026 16:30

I like Kendra and Kenza. I don't agree with the name snobbery though, those names aren't mean girl names unless you treat the girls with those names as if they're mean/tacky! It's a self fulfilling prophecy.

Pssedoffathis · 12/06/2026 16:33

Kristin. I know a couple they are both lovely.

Nananana90 · 12/06/2026 16:34

Katie

Elbowpatch · 12/06/2026 16:35

HoldMyWine · 12/06/2026 15:11

Kiki

The frog?

Bobajobob · 12/06/2026 16:38

Katerina
Kate
Kitty
Katia
Kristen

RayofSunshine18 · 12/06/2026 16:46

Klara

ScotiaLass · 12/06/2026 16:47

Kirsty - quite popular in Scotland and not at all tacky.

Pipsquiggle · 12/06/2026 16:48

Kate
Katie

OceanKitten · 12/06/2026 16:49

Forgot; one of the legitimate diminutives that is however rare and unconventional, for the name Kathleen, is the name Kick.

It was the family nickname for Kathleen Kennedy, sister of JFK. It's no more harder to say or remember as is Kitty, Katie, Kate, Kat and does have a certain energy about it.

Porcupinepotato · 12/06/2026 16:50

I knew a Kendra,

JustSawJohnny · 12/06/2026 16:56

Katherine is a good all rounder, I think.

Lots of derivatives for pet/nicknames (Kate, Katy, Kay, Kat etc).

Sweetstreams · 12/06/2026 16:59

Keira, Katie, Katherine, Kitty

Slothsandspiderman · 12/06/2026 17:00

Whatever you do don’t give the child a name with the same initial letter as you as they would obviously become all judgy

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