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ArchivesKitt as a form of Katherine?
I've noticed Kit and Kitty were popular early nicknames of Katherine. However, I would have sworn Kitt was an accepted form of Katherine, and I am finding it extremely difficult to find the name acknowledged at all. Those few naming sites that do list the name (and not all appear legitimate) only seem to show it as a rare variant of Christopher.
I've used this for years as a character name, and I'm a little confused over its origins now. Is the feminine Kitt just a trendy/modern alteration of Kitty, or does it have historical significance like I initially thought? I'd also really appreciate it if someone could point me in the direction of a legitimate etymology site that lists this name as feminine or neutral.
I've used this for years as a character name, and I'm a little confused over its origins now. Is the feminine Kitt just a trendy/modern alteration of Kitty, or does it have historical significance like I initially thought? I'd also really appreciate it if someone could point me in the direction of a legitimate etymology site that lists this name as feminine or neutral.
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Since Kit and Kitty were established as pet forms of Katherine well before spelling was set, it would be very odd to me if there hadn't been a woman who spelled this as Kitt at some point in history.
Withycombe's The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names gives an example of a woman called Kytte in a 14th century record from Coventry, England.
Reaney & Wilson's A Dictionary of English Surnames traces the surname Kitt back to both Christopher and Katherine, though the only early spelling it provides are Kytt, Kitte, and Kytte.
8 of the 13 persons listed with the given name "Kitt" in the 1850 US Census are female, though of course the spelling in a census record may be the choice of the census taker, not the name bearer.
During what historical time period does your character live?
P.S. And here is a link to a slave deed from Houston County, Georgia, in 1858, which in the third line refers to a "negro woman named Kitt":
http://www.toomerfamily.com/Toomer_History/lucytoomer.html
Withycombe's The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names gives an example of a woman called Kytte in a 14th century record from Coventry, England.
Reaney & Wilson's A Dictionary of English Surnames traces the surname Kitt back to both Christopher and Katherine, though the only early spelling it provides are Kytt, Kitte, and Kytte.
8 of the 13 persons listed with the given name "Kitt" in the 1850 US Census are female, though of course the spelling in a census record may be the choice of the census taker, not the name bearer.
During what historical time period does your character live?
P.S. And here is a link to a slave deed from Houston County, Georgia, in 1858, which in the third line refers to a "negro woman named Kitt":
http://www.toomerfamily.com/Toomer_History/lucytoomer.html
This message was edited 7/28/2008, 11:01 AM
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Thank you so much for the wealth of information. I suppose I had taken modern spelling rules for granted, and it's fascinating to note all of those variations. Still, with as difficult as it's been to find modern sources listing it, I suppose Kitt is a name that's been lost to a bygone era.
Unless that Kit Kittredge movie becomes popular, but I cringe every time I hear that sickeningly cute name. I think it'd be a little unfortunate if Kit/Kitt saw a rise in popularity because of it, but I digress.
My character Kitt exists in a modern-day setting, with Katherine having been passed through the generations as a family name. I've just personally been reluctant to use "creative" misspellings of classic names and nicknames, and I had been considering changing her name to Kit. I think I'll be keeping it now though.
Unless that Kit Kittredge movie becomes popular, but I cringe every time I hear that sickeningly cute name. I think it'd be a little unfortunate if Kit/Kitt saw a rise in popularity because of it, but I digress.
My character Kitt exists in a modern-day setting, with Katherine having been passed through the generations as a family name. I've just personally been reluctant to use "creative" misspellings of classic names and nicknames, and I had been considering changing her name to Kit. I think I'll be keeping it now though.
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