[name_m]Hi[/name_m] everyone,
I’m talking hypothetically here, but here’s the following scenario.
A person that can legally change their name wants to be known as [name_f]Kate[/name_f].
She loves the name [name_f]Kate[/name_f], but wonders if she should put [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] on the birth certificate, as she also loves [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] as well as the idea of a more formal legal name.
The only issue is that she (a) doesn’t like most other [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] nicknames such as Kath/Kathy and (b) would want to go by [name_f]Kate[/name_f] most (if not all) of the time.
She does think that [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] would give her more flexibility, but she’s changing her name in part due to intuitive shortening of her birth name. She is worried about the possibility of being called Kath/Kathy instead of [name_f]Kate[/name_f].
But she also worries about growing out of [name_f]Kate[/name_f], and loves the elegance and formality of [name_f]Katherine[/name_f].
So, hypothetically, should she choose [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] legally and go by [name_f]Kate[/name_f] most of the time (and use [name_f]Kate[/name_f] for preferred name forms and such)? [name_u]Or[/name_u] should she choose [name_f]Kate[/name_f] legally?
Thank you all so much.
I think if she likes [name_f]Katherine[/name_f], she should use that as the legal full first name and then go by [name_f]Kate[/name_f]! Usually people ask if someone named [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] prefers Kath/Kathy/Kate, and after she introduces herself the first time she probably wouldn’t have too much trouble with it.
I think she should choose [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] legally if she loves both [name_f]Kate[/name_f] and [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] and appreciates the flexibility of a full legal name.
I think many Katherines go by [name_f]Kate[/name_f] and never get Kath/y. I also think Kath/y is somewhat dated at this point and if she is under the age of about 40, would be surprised if anyone defaulted to Kath/y as a nickname for her. I think [name_f]Katie[/name_f] is possible from [name_f]Kate[/name_f], but Kath/y would surprise me.
@dejectedpiglet @EagleEyes thank you!!
I do have one more question though.
What if this girl already knew / was friends with a [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] (who went exclusively by Catherine)?
But by the time she’d get to change her name, they’d be living in different areas anyway and wouldn’t get to see each other that much. Would that affect your decision?
For me, I don’t think it would affect the decision, especially if they weren’t seeing each other often!
If we’re talking about an adult choosing a new name for herself, I think she has a lot of agency to determine her own nickname. I’d advise choosing [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] and just explaining that she goes by [name_f]Kate[/name_f]. I would be very surprised if others defaulted to something other than her stated preference, especially since [name_f]Kate[/name_f] is such a familiar nickname.
I would legally change it to [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] and go by the name [name_f]Kate[/name_f]. I think [name_f]Kate[/name_f] is the most popular nickname for [name_f]Katherine[/name_f]. If anyone calls her by any other nickname she should firmly correct them and tell them her name is [name_f]Kate[/name_f].
I would legally change to [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] and go by [name_f]Kate[/name_f]. And I know that if you’re from the US (and it might vary from state to state), that you can also add the nn to it. So it would be [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] mn ln “Kate”, and depending on the documents you can use them interchangeably, if I’m not mistaken.
Since she’s changing her name to avoid the intuitive shortening of her birthname, I’d say stick with just [name_f]Kate[/name_f]. It’s solid, classic and substantial 
Seconding this. All the Kaths and Kathys I know are over 60! Everyone younger is either Katherine/Kathryn or Kate. So I don’t think the Kathy issue would come up much except perhaps with older people, and it’s easily corrected.
I’m a Katherine who almost exclusively goes by Katie, and has since infanthood with the exception of a few years in my teens when I used my full name.
I don’t really remember ever getting Kath/Kathy. I’ve gotten Kat a few times, and occasionally Kitty when giving my name at places like quick service restaurants.
As I mentioned earlier, Katie is what I use on a daily basis. I do get asked somewhat frequently what Katie is short for. This is not however a constant question.
I personally like the weight of Katherine on anything formal: major essays in school, my diplomas, and anything else that feels official. But part of this preference is also probably down to usage.
I wouldn’t let knowing another Catherine stop her from using the name if she wants to. Katherine/Catherine/Kate/Katie is one of those names where you definitely run into others with the same name.
As a [name_f]Cathryn[/name_f] who goes by [name_f]Cat[/name_f] over half the time, use the full name and let people know that she prefers [name_f]Kate[/name_f] as her NN. I have never, not once, ever been called [name_f]Cate[/name_f] or [name_f]Catie[/name_f]. Years ago, like I over a decade ago, I had a couple different older people try to call me [name_f]Cathy[/name_f]. I nixed that right in the bud. [name_f]Do[/name_f] not call me [name_f]Cathy[/name_f]. 
I’ve had 0 issues otherwise. I danced with a girl when I was a teen who called me [name_u]Kitty[/name_u], but I didn’t mind it and it was like her special NN for me. And I work with a Hispanic lady now who calls Catti. I don’t mind that either because she’s a super sweet lady and I love how she says it in her accent. I do also enjoy seeing my full name at times though. It feels more elegant and grown up while [name_f]Cat[/name_f] is fun and friendly. Like when I go apply for a loan at a bank or handle any kind of business, I’m [name_f]Cathryn[/name_f]. When I’m hanging out with friends and chilling, I’m [name_f]Cat[/name_f]. I like options.