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Baby names

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

Original poster

What do you think of Kathryn?

81 replies

PlodTheToastie · 01/07/2010 10:45

Too boring or pretty and under-used? Was thinking Kate for short.

Also like Katrina but not sure if everyone will immediately think hurricane!

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StrictlyTory · 03/07/2010 13:05

I agree with purplemouse that it's name you'll always need to spell as Catherine, Katherine and Kathryn are very common spellings. I hate the arguement that Kathryn is in anyway 70's or American as it is the way Kathryn Howard, wife of Henry VIII spelt her name and the traditional way in Wales, not some recent American invention! In fact KathArine is the American invention.....

I would say if someone said the name to me i'd spell it 'Kathryn' as I went to school with 4.... all born mid 80's not 70's as was commented and all the children I know are spelt this way! Also the only Catherine I know is 60+ and the only Katherine I know is 27 and known as Kitty

nowherewoman · 03/07/2010 13:08

I love this name, it feels very fresh and summery to me for some reason!

purepurple · 03/07/2010 13:12

I have a friend called Kathryn, she gets called Kat.
I also have a friend called Catherine, and she gets called Cat.

Pingpong · 03/07/2010 18:02

I love it and out of all the spellings I prefer Kathryn

StrictlyTory · 03/07/2010 19:03

'Kathryn is a common woman's given name. The name is spelled several different ways, including Cathryn, Katherine, and Katharine, with Kathryn as the Welsh spelling, Catherine the French and Caitrìona as the Irish form. Its origin is thought to be Celtic or Greek. Traditionally, the name means "pure one'

Pingpong · 03/07/2010 19:22

Yes our book said Greek origin and meaning 'pure one' but said the Kathryn spelling was American but it was an American book so they were no doubt just stealing the old Welsh!!!! Don't know if it would have swayed DH. We are not Welsh but both girls have been born in Wales and it's where we live.

Rockbird · 03/07/2010 19:32

Catherine is the only way to spell this beautiful name. Everything else is just silly.

kittybrown · 03/07/2010 20:31

Katharine for me (that's my name). I've always been a Kitty to my family and some friends, Katy to others. This spelling has been around a lot longer than America so I don't know how it can be an American invention!

CURLYMAMMA · 03/07/2010 20:38

Just lovely.

MrsvWoolf · 03/07/2010 20:39

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MrsvWoolf · 03/07/2010 20:44

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MrsvWoolf · 03/07/2010 20:48

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Bumperlicious · 03/07/2010 20:59

I think Kathryn is a Scottish spelling, AFAIK Cathryn is the Welsh version.

MrsvWoolf · 04/07/2010 17:43

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Takver · 04/07/2010 17:48

The Welsh version I know is Catrin (no 'K' in Welsh)

Which is also a very pretty name, although extremely frequent round here (I know several sibling sets called Catrin & Rhys)

FessaEst · 04/07/2010 18:54

We went for KathArine, as it is the closest to the root and think it looks the prettiest. We intended for her to be Kitty as a little one, but Katharine and Kate are just as popular amongst family. Haven't really had any problems with misspellings - I just say, "with a K and and an A" & so far, so good.

NB - This spelling is found centuries back, def not a recent "invention".

Exogenesis · 04/07/2010 19:16

it's a wonderful name however it's spelt.

I had 2 in my class at school Katherine, Catharine and they both went by Kat/Cat we also had a Katrina.

One of my best friends now is a Kathyrn and she uses Kass.

Oh and a childhood friend of mine Kitty who I didn't know was actually called Katharine until her wedding day now its the only name she uses.
I thiink its an elegant and timeless name that can be adapted for any age of a girls life.

allfivehorizons · 05/07/2010 16:54

Hi I am Kathryn and I love it - I like that it is more unusual than Katherine or Catherine. Another spelling I like is Katharine, like Hepburn.

Picklepants · 05/07/2010 17:03

I'm a Katrina and I love it. I hated it when I was at school in the 80s with lots of Lynnes and Louises and Vickys, but I wouldn't change it now.

That hurricane didn't do us any favours though.

stenogirl · 08/07/2010 17:03

Catherine is on my list.
It's gorgeous and won't date.
Catherine the Great

twolittlemonkeys · 08/07/2010 17:07

I'm Kathryn. I like the name however you spell it, and most people don't have a problem with the spelling of my name. Lots of variations and nns which is great as it gives your daughter more options as she gets older.

kat2504 · 10/07/2010 07:42

I prefer Katherine but hey, I might be just a little bit biased! I love the name but the only drawback is going through your life always having to say "that's Katherine with a K" lots of times on the phone. Catherine with a C just doesn't look as nice to me.

HerHonesty · 10/07/2010 07:46

nothing wrong with it at all but a little dull imho.

FoxyRevenger · 10/07/2010 19:51

If you would use Kate as a nickname why not just have that as her name?

We have a four week old Kate and everyone loves her name

swanandduck · 12/07/2010 15:50

I love that spelling and I don't think it's 70s at all. It's actually just as old a spelling as Katherine or Catherine.

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