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[Opinions] Kate
I used to find Kate very bland but I'm warming up to it.It reminds me of romantic movies and comedies of the late 90s and early 2000s. Even though I was young when they came out I remember re-watching them in my childhood and early teens.There were so many actresses named this in the late 90s and early 2000s that I get a strong 90s/00s feel from it that is weirdly nostalgic. Kate Beckinsale, Kate Winslet, Kate Bosworth etc. They were born in the 70s so I guess that is when Kate was a really popular name/nickname but because they were young and famous in the 90s/00s I still associate it with that time period.What do you think of Kate on its own? Do you associate it with a time period?What do you think of Katherine nn Kate or Katherine nn Kate and Katie?Which full name for Kate would you choose? Or do you prefer it on its own?Please rate my list: https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/6232
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Well as I have mentioned previously Katie was a very popular option for my generation and region both as a nickname and legal name, so much so that in my graduating class of only 54 students, 3 of them had the nickname Katie and 1 of them had it legally. Kate, weirdly, not as much. I seldom came across a girl of my age whose nickname was only Kate. As I have grown into my 20s it has been my observation that a few of the "Katies" have progressed to "Kate" as we have aged. Katie is definetly the more youthful and dare I say childish one of the two. It's amazing the difference 1 letter can make. When someone had asked about "the little black dress" of names the other day, this one lept into my head as the embodiment of such a concept. I hear the name Kate and I imagine someone that is elegant but pragmatic. It has a very specific image that comes with it I believe. Even before The Duchess of Cambridge I've always felt it is a very "British" name as opposed to Katie which is more "American" imo. I actually love the idea of Kate on it's own and think it definetly has the weight to it to hold up still. I don't really associate it with a specific time period necissarily, just mid 20th century onward in general. I think Katherine NN Kate is totally servicable. My preference is Catherine myself but the Kate spelling makes more sense with Katherine. I am open to the idea of a Cate spelling as well. Me being me I would probably pick a longer, elaborate legal name like Cathelina, Catalina, Catherina etc. but I do like it on it's own as well it just wouldn't be the route for me personally since longer names allow for more options in nicknames and I think self chosen nicknames can be excellant forms of self expression through different life stages.

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This message was edited 9/11/2021, 9:51 PM

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I think Kate works fine by itself. But...I prefer Catherine, with a C. Catherine nicknamed Cate, Katie, or Kate. Katherine seems a bit cold. I'm also biased since it's my mom's name, lol. You also have the option of Katrina (I like that one) or Katarina. Katelyn is an okay name which is related, as well.

This message was edited 9/11/2021, 6:34 PM

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I would not use it on its own but it's OK for someone else I guess. I would use Catherine or Kathryn as a full name. As Anneza said, nicknames go in waves. First Kitty, then Kathy, now Kate or Katie. So someone named Kate may well find herself perceived as "old" when Kate goes out of fashion.
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Kate is one of the few diminutives I actually like on its own. I also like it is a nickname for Katherine, Kathleen, Kathryn.

This message was edited 9/11/2021, 5:25 AM

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I find Kate very over-used and therefore dull. Katharine is beautiful but impractical as a fn, simply because the nns for it go in waves: 19th century Kitty; mid-20th, Kathy; now, Kate and Katie and Kaitlyn etc, etc.As a nn, I prefer Kitty - probably because I've never met one.
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I like it on its own, but it feels like a one-name diminutive (in this case, Katherine). I don't like Katie that much. I think it's timeless.
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I like it one it's own, but also a good nn for Katelyn and Katherine
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