I know [name]Katherine[/name]/[name]Catherine[/name] is a very common first name, but I still might use it. I love the name [name]Kate[/name], and I don’t want a name that will be too associated with a particular year. I’m specifically looking at classics for the first name position.
In my baby name poll, of the first names I am seriously considering, [name]Charlotte[/name] seems to be the most popular. [name]Charlotte[/name] [name]Victoria[/name] and [name]Charlotte[/name] [name]Octavia[/name] are particularly popular; [name]Charlotte[/name] [name]Alexandria[/name] and [name]Charlotte[/name] [name]Lavinia[/name] round out that list. At the same time, I still love [name]Katherine[/name]/[name]Catherine[/name], and am seriously thinking about using it. I prefer the spelling with a K, but with some middle names I think a C is more appropriate.
So, two questions:
What do you think of [name]Katherine[/name]/[name]Catherine[/name]? Is it too common? Is it better as a middle name, or can I use it as a first?
What about middle names for [name]Katherine[/name]/[name]Catherine[/name]? I know I don’t want [name]Elizabeth[/name], or anything too common, because of how common the first name is. Other considerations: it can’t be two syllables (because of the last name) and I want it to be pretty, unique, and just unusual enough to balance out the first name. I like longer, flowing names with just a bit of drama but lots of history, and I’m particularly fond of Victorian names. I think that, for practical reasons to do with flow, it has to be three or more syllables (but I’m partial to four or more). And just to emphasize - [name]Elizabeth[/name] is out.
Edited to add: Also, because of the last name, the middle name shouldn’t start with a B or an N.
I prefer [name]Catherine[/name] (because of literary references), I think it’s a beautiful name.
Middle names I think go well with [name]Catherine[/name]:
It really just depends on what you want out of the name. I love both of the variants, and swing between loving one the most one week to loving the other more the next week.
I love [name]Catherine[/name] for it’s softness, and I love [name]Katherine[/name] for it’s spunk. [name]Both[/name] are lovely names that age well and have great namesakes.
For middle names, I love [name]Catherine[/name]/[name]Katherine[/name] [name]Lavinia[/name] a lot. Really long, frilly names go well with the [name]Catherine[/name]/[name]Katherine[/name] name. [name]Even[/name] though [name]Elizabeth[/name] is overused as a middle name, I still love it a bunch. But you do want something more unexpected with this name, and [name]Elizabeth[/name] does not offer that.
I love others suggestion of [name]Lydia[/name], [name]Valentina[/name], [name]Vanessa[/name], [name]Magdalena[/name], and [name]Eleanora[/name].
[name]Catherine[/name] is the more stylish spelling right now, but if you want to call her [name]Kate[/name] - which is a fantastic name, by the way - I would go with the [name]Katherine[/name] spelling, just so the initials would be the same. (Not that it’s hurt [name]Catherine[/name]/[name]Kate[/name] Middleton, but still.)
These are all such great suggestions - I’ve added quite a few to my list. And I cannot believe I’ve never thought of [name]Melisande[/name] before! So much more beautiful than [name]Melanie[/name].
I love [name]Catherine[/name]! It’s my second favorite girls’ name, and I have it paired with [name]Felicity[/name], [name]Zoe[/name], and [name]Eve[/name] on my list.
Since you love [name]Kate[/name] and since you mentioned the popularity of [name]Katherine[/name], have you thought about the alternative [name]Katerina[/name]? You can easily get [name]Kate[/name] out of that and it isn’t as popular, if that’s a consideration.
I am personally not a huge fan of [name]Katherine[/name] and all the spellings but I do like the “K” better so you can call her [name]Kate[/name] and not [name]Cate[/name]?. LOL
When I was younger, I was in love with the name [name]Katherine[/name]. While it’s not my favorite anymore (and I’m having a boy anyway) I still think it’s a great name and prefer the K spelling.
I prefer the [name]Katherine[/name] spelling and think it’s a great name, it’s on my longlist. Definitely not too common, although if you’re going to call her [name]Kate[/name]/[name]Katie[/name] be aware of the many Caitlins et al that go by [name]Kate[/name]/[name]Katie[/name] as well.
Those are all such good ideas. Would I be insane to add [name]Lucretia[/name] to my list of potential first names? I know it’s a bit out-there, particularly since the Sisters of [name]Mercy[/name] song, but I love the name (and the song). Or [name]Lucrezia[/name]?
I’m updating my list (again). Please vote, so I have some idea of what works and what is just silly.
