Anonymous wrote:If I have a girl, I'd love to name her Kathleen, after my grandmother. My husband fears that it will automatically be shortened to "Kathy." Should we nip this issue in the bud and just call her Kate? I like this nickname as well as the full "Kathleen," but would prefer Kathleen because it's more unusual, and more directly connected to my grandmother. Thoughts?

I wouldn't say Kathleen is unusual. It's very common and popular. But a direct connection to grandma is good.

I'd do Kathleen and just call her/introduce her like that, if that's what you want her to be called. I know plenty of kids who go by their full, given names. It's a very nice name, by the way.

Why would Kathleen be more likely to be shortened to Kathy than Katherine? I feel like you can determine the nickname equally with both.

I know 1 Kathleen (in her 30s) and she goes by Kathleen.

The one Kathleen I know goes by Kathy.

Anonymous wrote:Kate Winslet
Kate Beckinsdale
Cate Blanchett

all young, glamorous, intelligent
sounds good

Kates (and Katies) are a dime a dozen. Go with Kathleen. It's elegant and classic.

Kate Winslet
Kate Beckinsdale
Cate Blanchett

all young, glamorous, intelligent
sounds good

The only Kathleen I know goes by Kate. She always has. She is 31.

I love that you clarified in your title that it's a girl's name. Because so many boys get named Kathleen these days.

I don't like the name, and am a huge fan of naming a baby after someone by using the same letter. It allows for generational changes. You could do Katherine/Kate much more easily than Kathleen/Kate.

I wouldn't think that Kathleen would be shortened to Kathy. I know 2 of them and they both go by Kathleen. I think its pretty common for people to go by their full names and not nicknames these days if thats what they choose.

I know a lot of Kathleens who are just that: Kathleen. If you pick it and stick with it, I think you will be ok.

I know a Kathleen and she goes by Kathleen. No one has ever called her Kathy.

Kat, katy, kate, kay.

I think its ok to do Kathleen/Kate, although she may get Kathy sometimes.

Every Kathleen I know goes by Kathy, though most are older (50s ish). If you want to totally avoid that, you should call her Kate. If not, it may change later, once you can't control it anymore If you're ok with the possibility and like Kathleen that much better, go for it.

- mom of Nathan, ok with Nate and realize it may happen later on, but keeping Nathan as long as I'm in charge (toddler now)

If I have a girl, I'd love to name her Kathleen, after my grandmother. My husband fears that it will automatically be shortened to "Kathy." Should we nip this issue in the bud and just call her Kate? I like this nickname as well as the full "Kathleen," but would prefer Kathleen because it's more unusual, and more directly connected to my grandmother. Thoughts?