Serena is now associated with Serena Williams. Kate is for Katherine. I wouldn’t use either, TBH.

I’m a Kathryn who goes by Kate. I love having the flexibility to go by full name or nickname. Only downside is when someone sees Kathryn and calls me Kathy. Not my fave.

These two names are wildly different. I prefer Kate because I like traditional names.

Anonymous wrote:I like them both but agree with pp above that Kate should be nickname for Catherine. What sounds better with your last name? Serena means serene in Latin languages, if that matters to you.

Very different feel to those names IMHO. Kate is like short and whippy -- cute, maybe preppy. Serena more flowery and feminine. Why these two names?

I have a Serena, so of course that is what I would choose. I like the sound of it, the meaning, and that it's not particularly popular but not unknown either. I like that there aren't natural nicknames.

My Serena is now 12 and she likes her name very much too.

I like them both but agree with pp above that Kate should be nickname for Catherine. What sounds better with your last name? Serena means serene in Latin languages, if that matters to you.

Another for Serena if these are the only two options.

Serena. My head went to Handmaid’s Tale, but that will pass and Serena Williams will be a generational figure (i.e., not the child’s generation) once she’s not actively playing anymore.

I love them both but Kate (just Kate not Katherine) is my favorite girl name but I married a Katz so we could use it.

Both are powerfully strong yet feminine names.

Serena

Anonymous wrote:Please let me know your vote. We’ve narrowed down to two names. I love the classic simplicity of Kate. Serena is also feminine and less common, but a little stuffy? Please let me know what you prefer!

These names are very different vibe. Neither are wrong but, you have to figure out which one flows better with your last name as well. Is your partner want Serena? You could do Katherine Serena as a compromise. That way the kid could decide if she is a Serena or a Kate.

Do you want a Princess or a powerhouse athlete?

I don’t like the name Serena at all.

Kate is a nickname for either Catherine or Kathleen. Please do not just name someone Kate. Give your daughter the option to use a more formal name someday if she chooses. Also, this name has been wildly popular for 25 years--there are lots and lots of Kates.
Know that the name Serena will always be associated with Serena Williams--I don't think it's stuffy.
These are very different names, each with a very different style. Are you sure there aren't any other names you'd consider?

Please let me know your vote. We’ve narrowed down to two names. I love the classic simplicity of Kate. Serena is also feminine and less common, but a little stuffy? Please let me know what you prefer!