Is Katherine / Kate going to get really popular now?

[GrumpyFish]

We had pretty much decided on either this or Alice for our baby due in April (if a girl, we're not finding out). I'm not looking for an unusual name, but would prefer to avoid top 10 / 3 in each class type names. Do you think that the impending Royal wedding is going to mean that Kate suddenly becomes very popular? I really struggle with girls names, these are the only 2 we can agree on (and want to have a choice one baby is here so we can see what suits, rather than having only 1).

I shouldn't think many people will make the link. And there are so many nicknames for Katherine that she can always pick a different one if there are others in the class.

But don't do it if you already have a william...

PS- DD is Alice, and I get lots of compliments about it. Everyone on here loves it but it's only no 50 this year so not mega popular. Already obsessing thinking about what I would call the next one and liking Kate!

Look at it this way, there aren't a huge number of 20-something Dianas are there?

I shouldn't worry too much about it. I doubt that it's going to be the next Olivia. Love both your name choices by the way.

Oddly DS was nearly William but fortunately we went for something else! Godd point about Dianas.

Well Katie is already pretty popular around here, and I know several people of varying ages called Kathryn/Catherine/Katherine/Kate/Katy and Katie as it is.

So can't see things changing much as it is. It is a bit of a timeless name IMO.

To add: I think it is a lovely classic name. It is DSis's name (she shortens it to Kate/Katie)

It is a classic and lovely name. If you want to make it a bit more unusual perhaps the Kathryn spelling. Also kitty might be a nice nickname esp when little. Alice is a lovely name too as is Alicia but not when pronounce Alesha IMO

While we're on the name, does anyone have feelings about using Kitty as a nickname for Catherine. I've always preferred the 'c' spelling, but really like Kitty. Don't know if it matters that the initials don't match....

I don't think it matters MaryMungo. Traditionally I think Kate or Katie have been used as nicknames for Catherine so I'm sure Kitty can be too.

never mind that- her sister is bloomin' called Philippa! (DD2's name, 7 weeks old tomorrow).

I have echoed TondelayoSchwarzkopf in the past on whether an event like this suddenly prompts a popularity in a name- there are very few Dianas around, which given her popularity you would think there would be. In the end it comes down to the fact the name itself just wasn't liked enough. Even after she died, there wasn't a sudden rush to name babies after her, or at her wedding.

Bit like the Florence debate, really, as Florence was already getting popular long before SamCam

Kate is a popular name anyway, it always has been. And there are loads of Kaitlyn/Caitlins as well. It is a classic name. Only thing i would say is most Catherines (with a c) that i have met shorten to Cathy, and Katherine/Kathryn with a K is Kate.

I hope it will spawn a few Kathleens -- lovely and underused imo.

My twins are Kate and Alice. You have very good taste....

Go with Alice I say! My 2yr old is an Alice and we get lots of compliments on her name. I think it's a really classic, timeless choice and you can't go wrong. Saying that, Kate is very pretty too and I don't necessarily think the Royal wedding is going to mean a huge surge in its popularity

Personally I love both, Alice and Kate are both beautiful names! I'd ignore the whole 'Royal Wedding saga' ..I must say I'm sick of it already! x

I know 2 Catherines that shorten to Kate or Katie.

One of Elizabeth Bennet's younger sisters in Pride and Prejudice is Kitty, but her real name is Catherine.

Initials don't have to match.

Alice Katherine is a HUGE front-runner for if we ever have a DD - Alice is my grandmother's name and my middle name, Katherine is Great-Grandmother's middle name, Aunt's middle name, Great-Aunt's middle name, and niece's middle name!

Oh and Catherine is MIL's name.

If bump is a girl, her middle name will be Catherine after DH's mum. I agree it's a very unused name.

Already are aren't they?

Both lovely names.

Kate has been popular at least since Shakespeare's day. I wouldn't let the fact that other people like a name put you off. If that's an issue make one up.

My niece is Catherine but is always called Cate - think it looks more unusual spelt that way and no one mis spells her full name.

I know two Kathleens - one of which is a teenager. Think it is a pretty name and like someone else posted it's unusual.

I'm a Katherine officially, Kate at work and Katie to friends and family. The beauty of Katherine is that you have so much choice with how to shorten it and it offers both an 'adult' or more formal nickname - Kate, and a 'baby', informal nickname - Katie.

Definitely recommend Katherine/ Kate or Katie. Never Katy though!

Kate Middleton is a Catherine I discovered.

I am Katherine and DD is Alice. We both have lovely names :)

Kate is a lovely name if I do say so myself :o

Alice also lovely though and was on our list when I was pregnant with DS :)