(no subject)

[lissalynn.livejournal.com]

My cousin just had her first baby, a girl, and named her Katherine Parker. They'll call her Katie.

Thoughts? I think it sounds lovely together even though I've never been a big fan of Katherine- I like that the nn is Katie.

Comments

[say2.livejournal.com]

I'll never understand it—why name your daughter Katherine (and its variants) and call her something else for the rest of her life?

[lissalynn.livejournal.com]

Huh? You don't realize that whatever you name your child, people are going to shorten it/use affectionate nicknames and most people like to have a little say over which one it is? What a strange comment. Nicknames have been used since the beginning of time. They love both names, and what I meant by "they'll call her Katie" is that they're never going to use "Kathy" as the nn. No child is going to go by "Katherine" in preschool. They prefer the teacher call her Katie, not Kathy.

[say2.livejournal.com]

It's not a strange comment. Maybe you took it personally, which was not my intention. Nicknames for Katherine/Catherine have already been discussed in this community, naturally, and in one occasion I remember someone else voicing my very same opinion. I'm just glad to know I am not alone.

Maybe it depends on the culture (I'm not from the USA, but that's actually irrelevant because I'm half English), but even if I give my child a name that is commonly shortened, I would still tell others —and teach the child— to use her given name.

[blosmbee.livejournal.com]

My daughter goes by Catherine in preschool. It's really not an issue, and her teachers, friends, doctor, etc. have all always called her Catherine. I've always introduced her as Catherine, she introduces herself as Catherine, and that's that.
I'm not anti-nickname, but I don't think they're a requirement just because your given name is >5 letters.

I think Katherine (or Katie) Parker is a very sweet name.

[cremepuff.livejournal.com]

I'm from the USA, and I'm not entirely sure if this is true of every parent here, but I do know why my parents did this with me. My real given name is Kathleen, but from the day of my birth everyone called me Katie. My mom says she knew from the start of her pregnancy that she wanted a daughter named Katie, but she thought it was too much of a nickname to put on a birth certificate. So they gave me the full name of Kathleen (after a song) and stuck to calling me Katie. The only time I've ever gone by Kathleen is in a class, job, or other situation where there were multiple Katies.

Like I said, I can't speak for every parent, but that's the reason my parents did that. Maybe these particular parents also felt that Katie was too much of a "nickname" to use on its own.

[lissalynn.livejournal.com]

They did, and thank you, this is exactly how they were thinking- and I do think it is how most parents in the USA think when naming their children. In fact, I work in Pediatrics and we recently had a mother flip out on a nurse who called her child in by "Ben" because the child's name is Benjamin- but we always have the children's full names and then a lot of parents act confused when we use it- and come on, how many kids in the US named Benjamin that are 4 years old are always called Benjamin? 1%? We were all appalled and HIGHLY amused that someone would name their child Benjamin and expect no one to EVER refer to that child as Ben.

I think Katherine Parker ______ will sound and look beautiful when called out/used on all official documents/degrees/etc.- much better than just Katie would have- but like I said above, I think the whole family agrees that Katie is a lot more appropriate for an infant/preschooler! =)

[longlostblue.livejournal.com]

For some reason this comment reminds me of my husband; his mother told me that they always called him Charlie, but when he was five, he insisted he be called Charles!

[http://users.livejournal.com/___heyvanity/]

I really like Katherine. Although I prefer Catherine a little more.

I don't like Katie as a nickname. I prefer Kate or Cate.

Not sure about Parker. Is that the middle name?

[aftondays.livejournal.com]

I have a friend named Katherine Parker but Parker is the last name. (I'm guessing it's the middle name in the case of your cousin's daughter.)

I'm expecting #3 this year and her name is Katherine Juliet but we'll call her Kate/Katie. So that tells you what I think of Katherine. :)

[pegasus2o5.livejournal.com]

I think it's refreshing and lovely. Parker doesn't really fit, but eh, it's a middle, not a huge deal. Katie is adorable and can age into Kate or just Katherine. Very good choice. I approve. :)

[longlostblue.livejournal.com]

I love Katherine. Parker is a little odd.