Kat

I'm fond of short one-syllable names, but this is one that just doesn't intrigue me at all. It's quite a pity given the longer version of the names it's used for are so attractive. As a full name or short form, so are Kate (Cate), Kati (Katy, Katie, Cati, Catie), Kathy (Kathi, Kathie, Cathy, Cathi, Cathie). As names for animals go, Fawn, Wren, Robin, Raven, and Sable are very attractive.

Thinking of calling myself Kat. My given name is Kathryn and my parents called me Kathy. I never cared that much for Kathy and Kathryn often sounds too formal. Kathy doesn't go well with my new married name, so it seems like a good time to make the change. I've always liked Kate or Katie, but that's my neighbor's name, and Kat sounds closer to Kathy because of the short 'a'.

Naming your child after an animal is weird.

I think this is really cute! You can call me Kat if you'd like :) After all, my username is "Galaxy_Kitty", right?

My daughter's name is Katherine and me and her dad decided from day one she would be Kat or Katherine. Katie, Kate and Kathy didn't suit her.

I think, while the name Kat is simple looking, actually it feels harsher than similar looking Kate or Katie of which both sounds soft, kind of sweet, soft names, but Kat sounds more serious, little bit more mature. Name is alright!

On being a Kat (by choice);

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I’ve always assumed this name can certainly be a modern given name, but more often and as far as origins go it is likely a casual nickname or endearment; I’ve always seen it used as diminutive of the longer names that have the letters in them (Katarína, Katherine, anything like that and countless others). I have met one Kat who was born with the name, so it doesn’t seem strange either way to my ear.

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I use it as a shortened version of my name because I’d always felt the other choices didn’t suit my personality - I’m very direct and names like Katie felt childish and common and a sea of faces, it felt forgettable and I used to audition for three things at a time, so standing out is extremely important (I don’t feel this way as an adult, but at the time, adding that ending softened the sound too much for my taste - close family still use Kate or Katie with me.)

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As I grew up and in my teens I realized Katherine was always going to be shortened somehow, so I started using Kat in casual company and Katherine for business or people I didn’t get on with to make a clear distinction (sort of a passive way of saying how I felt in certain places or with people that I would like to stay a bit aloof around, because occasionally I suppose it gave the wrong impression to some people when I told them they could call me Kat... we all know or can probably imagine how hard that initial impression of familiarity or interest can be to dissuade with certain types, I think.) and have introduced myself initially as Katherine and usually swiftly moved on to a norm of ‘Kat, ’ easily enough. They’d see anyone that I voluntarily spent time with all called me that anyway, and I’ve just gone on that way since college, generally.

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It helps that I have three cats and people see my accessories with fun cat jewelry, etc., and it just cements the name even with an alternative spelling - though I only ever let my husband use ‘Kitten’.

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It’s much more memorable for people who meet me but its casual and modern feel invites a warmer reception for me than Katherine did (somehow people I like but aren’t close to inevitably turn it into Kit-Kat for me, I think they find the alliteration fun and I kind of enjoy it because it tells me rather quickly how people feel around me). I also find it much easier to fill out name badges which is a perk!

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Being a Kat just makes me feel like me, I like it a lot all around.

I prefer Kate or Katy as a diminutive of Katherine but Kat is okay, I have a friend with it and she is really awesome. She may be sort of what we picture a Kat to be like, but she seems genuine and I think she’s really cool. Kat isn’t a favorite but it’s cool I guess.

Has anyone heard of the name Katala? I know a girl with that name and I love it. It's not listed anywhere. Really unique like her. Most people call her Kat though. I don't think they know how to pronounce it LOL (kuh-tah-luh).

My name is Katala, never met another one of me and I tend to go by Kat. That is mainly because people struggle to remember my name rather than pronounce it. Wasn't so fond of it as a child but I love my name now.

I actually really like this name, both as a given name and a nickname for Katrina. For whatever reason, when I think of the name, it doesn't make me think of 'cat' very often.

I'm sorry but I really don't like this name. 'Kat' sounds like you're talking about a cat and the poor child will get teased at school.

I'm not as keen on this Katherine diminutive as Kate or Katie because Kat sounds the same as the word "cat". I love Katherine, but Kat just ruins it for me.

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Because of the similarity to "cat", Katlyn is also my least favourite spelling of Caitlin.

Hate this name. I feel like girls that use it are always trying way too hard to be cool and unique by using it rather than their full name. In the past 20 years, I think the two movies that have influenced girls to pick up this name are "10 Things I Hate About You" and "Casper". Both movies feature female characters named "Kat" that are kind of "cool girl", tomboy, misfit types.

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Girls that I usually see use it seem to want to come off that way as well. It's derived from a feminine name so it's girly and makes you think of cats but then it's been shortened and all of the formality of the name has been taken out so it sounds masculine as well. In any case, I think of posers when I think of this name.

My name is Kat, short for Katerina. The only reason I don't care for it is because people make dumb comments about the animal "cat".

One of the cutest names ever. Somehow it doesn't make me think of the animal, especially when spelled this way.

I love this name and makes me think of the name Kitty
Cat(Valentine) is also a character on Victorious
Cute name.

I love this name! Personally I would name my child Kataryn and call her Kat. To me this name has a very modern vibe. Almost like an Emo kid.

In many Slavonic languages "Kat" means "hangman" or "executioner". In English speaking countries, this is probably not much of an issue, but I still see it as somewhat trashy and immature like all the names even vaguely reminding me of "cat". A great choice, indeed.

Adorable nickname. And in 10 things I hate about you her name is Katarina.

I don't like this name. It sounds too, like, ugly? or something. I don't know. Nevermind, not ugly. It sounds mean, or something. Just something about it does not sound like a good person. Sorry.

Kat is an awesome name! I love it! It is so original. I think it would be a cute nickname for Kathlyn.

My Mom's name is Kat (real name Kathleen). My aunt has been calling her that since she was about 11 years old. Back then, no one had heard of the name Kat. So I like how my Mom got the nickname before it became popular.

I'm known as Kat in certain circles of friends (I'm a Katrina), some of my friends probably don't even know what my full name is. Much prefer that over Trina. One of the lead characters in 10 Things I Hate About You was Kat but I'm not sure what it was short for.

I love the nickname Kat, it is very pretty.

My name is Katrina, and I prefer Kat (only spelt Katt). I also know a girl named Kathleen who is nicknamed Kat.

I really dislike this name. Sounds like an old lady.