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Always figured it for a baby boomer name, when people fist began screwing up traditionals. Easily transplanted in current trends. Don't hate it, but think it unecessary and a little pointless. It tends to a choppiness because of the excised syllable not seen in the more refined Katherine.

I don't hate this name, but I much prefer the spelling of Catherine. I would assume a woman named Kathryn to be between 18-60 years old; I can't place a broader range. If I were to nickname Kathryn, I'd probably use the nickname Kate.

I would assume Kathryn was 20-30. Although I think its dated, it seems to still be well-liked and used often. I would use Kat, Kit or Kitty as NNs. I don't like Kathy or Kath. Even Ryn ("ren") would be better.
I prefer Katherine because its more complete and Y's look a bit odd near N's. I don't necessarily like Katherine, though. I much prefer Caterina.

I used to think this spelling was cool back then when I was younger. I liked it a lot. However, now I can't help but think it's a botch... oddly enough, I like Kathlyn, though. And Katheryne is my favorite spelling - it combines Kathryn's spark and Katherine's steadiness.

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I picture this name on a woman in her fourties or fifties, but I think it suits older women as well.

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My preferred nickname is Kit, but it would be pointless as there is no I. In this case I opt for Kat.

I like it, the ones I know are in there 50s

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Nn Kath or Kathy

I'm not a particular fan of Katherine, and Kathryn makes it worse. I prefer Katherine with 3 syllables. Kathryn strikes me as boring and outdated.
It's one of those alternate spellings that was part of an older alternate spelling trend, so they're all elderly-middle aged women. While all the other y vowel names gain popularity, Kathryn loses it. I picture Kathryn as a 70 year old woman. It just looks dated. I think Kate would be the best nickname.

This message was edited 4/3/2024, 12:01 PM

Kathryn is definitely the sleekest spelling of the name. My personal favorite is the uncommon Katharyn, and this is just one letter off that, and can be explained quickly as "Kathryn with a Y" for spelling purposes.

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Kathryn has fallen off the popularity charts in the U.S. (well, below the Top 500), so I'd assume most Kathryns to be mothers and grandmothers (in their forties through seventies). It can come back, though - especially if minimalism becomes trendy.

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I agree with the poster who said Kat fits best as a nickname, because it's also the sleekest nickname.

I know a Kathryn who's in her 70s! Definitely ahead of the trend. I don't like it. Katharine is, just, so much better; I can't see the point of Kathryn.

I don't like the name Katherine in any of its spellings; it's so .. basic ... and non of its many nns appeal to me either.

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The Kathryn spelling should look and feel modern because the y and yn endings are very much in style now. But for some reason it doesn't feel stylish at all to me. While I'd peg a Katherine from any age from birth to 100, I'd picture Kathryn to b in her fifties.

I pronounce Katherine with three syllables, so this spelling is off to me.

Hi!

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I agree with Wordsmith: I personally dislike alternative spellings. I much appreciate rare and underused names. Even if Catherine is super boring and overused compared with Kathryn is better than it.

Kathryn feels almost (aaaalmost) refreshingly retro after the widespread popularity of Kaitlyn and Katherine. There's something clumsily endearing about Kathryn, in the same vein as Jayne or Bettye. It feels more approachable and human than Katherine/Catherine/Katharine.

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I know some Kathryns that are around my age and a bit younger (so early 40s, mid-late 30s). It's possible that I know older Kathryns but they all go by Kathy. The name Kathryn makes me think of the 1960s, 70s, and 90s.

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Kat feels like a particularly fitting nickname for a Kathryn. There is something sharp and fashionably no-nonsense about Kathryn, and Kate, Katie, Kathy and Kitty don't fit that vibe. Kat does.

It's very boring to me. Catherine and Katherine are boring, too, but at least they look elegant.

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Kitty is my favorite nickname. (I despise Katie.)