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[Opinions] Katinka
I adore the nn Kitty but I haven’t been able to find a long form that I like (Katherine, Catherine, Katrina, Kathleen, Kate…they all bore me) but today I rediscovered Katinka. Wdyt? Would it work in the U.S.?

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Great name for a horse, but I can’t see it on a human. I think Kitty is a far stretch, but it could work. If Libby can be a nickname for Elizabeth than Kitty can work with Katinka as full name.

This message was edited 2/11/2024, 6:19 AM

Being originally from the part of the world where Katinka is used in some languages I don't like it at all. It sounds perpetually 5 years old.But if you like it I see no reason why it would not work in English.

This message was edited 2/11/2024, 6:03 AM

My first thought when I hear Katinka is one of my nieces favourite books Katinka’s Tail by Judith Kerr. Katinka is a cat. I like the name and whilst it may appear a quirky choice people would soon get used to it.
The i in Katinka sounds like a neutral vowel, not the I in Isabel.I love it; but it's widely used in South Africa though out of fashion now. Elsewhere, I just don't know.
This was one of my nicknames in art school. The person who gave it to me was not ethnically Slavic or Germanic in any way, nor am I! I can't even remember how or why it was bestowed on me. That's just kind of the way stuff works in art school, people just do things and nothing really makes sense.The "tink" part might make this name more difficult to bear if the person wants to be a respectable normie or whatever. But if that isn't a concern, I think it would be fine. As long as you're under no illusions that Katinka will be perceived the same way Katherine is, and you accept that it's a very quirky choice, then I'm sure it would work in the US. Which is like if art school was its own country.
Being Slavic myself I'm curious what you think the connection of Katinka is to Slavic culture or languages?
I suppose to an ignorant North American type like myself, Katinka has a vague Slavic ring to it! Like Ivanka or Ilonka. It's the "-nka" ending that gives it that connection. But I admit I have no idea what I am talking about and may be using the wrong terms.
I totally get what you are saying. When I think about it it does have that kind of sound.
I don't know how well it would work here; it's pretty unfamiliar and old-fashioned, and the tink sound is a little silly.
Not a fan. Technically, anything can work in the US, but you'd appear very ethnic if you used this.I prefer Katerina, Katalina, Kataleya, and Katriona.