View Message

Well as I have mentioned previously Katie was a very popular option for my generation and region both as a nickname and legal name, so much so that in my graduating class of only 54 students, 3 of them had the nickname Katie and 1 of them had it legally. Kate, weirdly, not as much. I seldom came across a girl of my age whose nickname was only Kate. As I have grown into my 20s it has been my observation that a few of the "Katies" have progressed to "Kate" as we have aged. Katie is definetly the more youthful and dare I say childish one of the two. It's amazing the difference 1 letter can make. When someone had asked about "the little black dress" of names the other day, this one lept into my head as the embodiment of such a concept. I hear the name Kate and I imagine someone that is elegant but pragmatic. It has a very specific image that comes with it I believe. Even before The Duchess of Cambridge I've always felt it is a very "British" name as opposed to Katie which is more "American" imo.

---

I actually love the idea of Kate on it's own and think it definetly has the weight to it to hold up still. I don't really associate it with a specific time period necissarily, just mid 20th century onward in general. I think Katherine NN Kate is totally servicable. My preference is Catherine myself but the Kate spelling makes more sense with Katherine. I am open to the idea of a Cate spelling as well. Me being me I would probably pick a longer, elaborate legal name like Cathelina, Catalina, Catherina etc. but I do like it on it's own as well it just wouldn't be the route for me personally since longer names allow for more options in nicknames and I think self chosen nicknames can be excellant forms of self expression through different life stages.

... Load Full Message

This message was edited 9/11/2021, 9:51 PM

I think Kate works fine by itself. But...

---

I prefer Catherine, with a C. Catherine nicknamed Cate, Katie, or Kate. Katherine seems a bit cold. I'm also biased since it's my mom's name, lol.

---

You also have the option of Katrina (I like that one) or Katarina.

---

Katelyn is an okay name which is related, as well.

This message was edited 9/11/2021, 6:34 PM

I would not use it on its own but it's OK for someone else I guess. I would use Catherine or Kathryn as a full name. As Anneza said, nicknames go in waves. First Kitty, then Kathy, now Kate or Katie. So someone named Kate may well find herself perceived as "old" when Kate goes out of fashion.

Kate is one of the few diminutives I actually like on its own. I also like it is a nickname for Katherine, Kathleen, Kathryn.

This message was edited 9/11/2021, 5:25 AM

I find Kate very over-used and therefore dull. Katharine is beautiful but impractical as a fn, simply because the nns for it go in waves: 19th century Kitty; mid-20th, Kathy; now, Kate and Katie and Kaitlyn etc, etc.

---

As a nn, I prefer Kitty - probably because I've never met one.

I like it on its own, but it feels like a one-name diminutive (in this case, Katherine). I don't like Katie that much. I think it's timeless.

I like it one it's own, but also a good nn for Katelyn and Katherine