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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Are there any K names that are not tacky?

444 replies

JCes · 12/06/2026 13:00

Are there any feminine K names that are more traditional and old-fashioned? I really dislike modern and trendy sounding names. I also dislike C names that have recently been turned into K names. The Kylie, Kaylee, Kadence, Kallie, Kinley, Kaitlyn, Krystal, Karly, Khloe, Kenzie type of names are not for me. They're all very similar in style to me, and I just find them to be tacky. They also feel very mean girl/bully. (This won't make sense to everyone, but I'm sure some will know what I mean.)

An example of a name that I do like is Katherine, but there are simply too many in the family. I also like just plain Kay, but it seems a bit underwhelming as a first name. It's more often a middle name and shortening of other K names. Karen is no longer a possibility for obvious reasons...

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
WaitingForMojo · 12/06/2026 23:36

Sidebeforeself · 12/06/2026 22:22

True but also can’t believe people think nobody has heard of the name Kate! 🤣

It’s literally the only name that fits what the o asked, so it’s going to come up a lot!

NamingNoNames · 12/06/2026 23:41

@NashEnquirer , Respectively, a polite reminder to kindly post in a less patronising manner. It's not 'triggering' me, I just find it annoying, and I mean that in a kindly way to be honest with you.

Please be aware that Kira is of a different origin to Keira.

I ain't gonna lie, I'd say Sara and Sarah are variants of the same name etc.

Lynda and Linda - one could be from Lyn(ne) and the other from Latin?

Lynda Clark and Linda Clarke aren't the same written down but you could have a French Charles Martin and British one and their names don't sound the same.

NashEnquirer · 12/06/2026 23:50

NamingNoNames · 12/06/2026 23:41

@NashEnquirer , Respectively, a polite reminder to kindly post in a less patronising manner. It's not 'triggering' me, I just find it annoying, and I mean that in a kindly way to be honest with you.

Please be aware that Kira is of a different origin to Keira.

I ain't gonna lie, I'd say Sara and Sarah are variants of the same name etc.

Lynda and Linda - one could be from Lyn(ne) and the other from Latin?

Lynda Clark and Linda Clarke aren't the same written down but you could have a French Charles Martin and British one and their names don't sound the same.

Trying to take all this in good faith but surely my point still stands - effectively that there are different ways of spelling names that sound the same? (Yes, Charles Martin would sound different pronounced by a French person but I'll be honest too, I'm not sure what point you're making with that!)

NamingNoNames · 13/06/2026 00:02

That it's a fine line. Clare, Claire and Clair all sound the same and are from the same root but Cla(i)r(e) I might think differently.

Sara Thompson and Sarah Thomson aren't the same names, Charles Martin is.

I could see why Graeme McDonald might be annoyed if his name was written Graham Macdonald.

I don't see Ciara and Keira as the same name.

Thisthreadhasbeendeleted · 13/06/2026 11:15

HogletPatricia · 12/06/2026 13:15

Kore (pronounced Core-ee - another name used for Persephone in Greek mythology)

Kore would forevermore have to explain or correct the pronunciation of their name

Waitingfordoggo · 13/06/2026 11:17

I really like Katie/Kate. I know it’s usually a shortening of Katherine but it works as a name in its own right IMO.

Wre · 13/06/2026 11:20

Katie/ Kate are lovely names.

NamingNoNames · 13/06/2026 11:21

@Waitingfordoggo , more Katies are registered than Katherines. I prefer just Kate. Katherine has the Katherine/Catherine/Katharine/Kathryn issue.

Cherrytree86 · 13/06/2026 11:25

I think we should reclaim the name Karen. Fuck the patriarchy

Dinggirl · 13/06/2026 11:47

Cherrytree86 · 13/06/2026 11:25

I think we should reclaim the name Karen. Fuck the patriarchy

Sometimes sadly it's other women who refer to a woman as a "Karen" 😟 but agree, it's a lovely name

NamingNoNames · 13/06/2026 12:11

Dinggirl · 13/06/2026 11:47

Sometimes sadly it's other women who refer to a woman as a "Karen" 😟 but agree, it's a lovely name

Sometimes, but it's thrown about on SM mainly by white middle-aged men.

Dinggirl · 13/06/2026 12:59

NamingNoNames · 13/06/2026 12:11

Sometimes, but it's thrown about on SM mainly by white middle-aged men.

True. And I get the bstards back by calling them "Darren" in return, as if you google what Darren means in slang, it basically says:
A middle-aged white man exhibiting a sense of entitlement or white privilege.
its childish of me I know, and I obviously have too much time in my hands! But it really pisses me off!

flagpolesitta · 13/06/2026 13:03

Knowledge 😆

PhotoFirePoet · 13/06/2026 17:42

Katarina
Kirsten

NoCureForLove · 13/06/2026 17:43

Kirsty

Rpopz4 · 13/06/2026 17:58

My daughter is a Kitty. She's 9 now and have yet to meet another one 🙂

Justonemoretouch · 13/06/2026 18:00

Kirsten

Iamthegirlwho · 13/06/2026 18:01

Kathryn is a lovely alternative to Katherine

Bluffinwithmymuffin · 13/06/2026 18:06

Rpopz4 · 13/06/2026 17:58

My daughter is a Kitty. She's 9 now and have yet to meet another one 🙂

There are two in my family, one in her 50s, one aged 21. Our grandmother/great grandmother was Kate, but mostly called Kit/Kitty.
I’ve not met any others, surprisingly. It’s such a nice name.

WhitePudding · 13/06/2026 18:15

Karina

MeandT · 13/06/2026 18:17

I've worked with one Kendra & know of another. Think that's a great name.

Almost all the others still not meeting OP's brief imho, with the exception perhaps of Keira & Katerina. Possible pass for Katja, but that gets complicated as true spelling is nicer, but likely to end up with lots of Katya - agree K is a tricky one to work with!

Roco11 · 13/06/2026 18:19

Keira, Kaia, Kira, Kezia, or Karis

TygerBread · 13/06/2026 18:20

Kerenza (it’s an old Cornish name). Although…if you don’t know the origin, maybe it does look tacky!

Dragonflyspeeding · 13/06/2026 18:22

All the nice ones are short for Catherine Kitty, Kate. I know so many Catherine’s with these nicknames.

If you spell Christina with a K it looks very Eastern European.

You could spell Cara with a K? It’s better with a C though.

Kathleen shortened to Kathy? Not particularly great tbh.

Otherwise there aren’t any nice K names.

WittyTaupeLion · 13/06/2026 18:22

I was going to have Kiara( keeara) I thought it was pretty. If you don’t like K names go for another name. Also Kate is a simple but nice version if don’t want Katherine. Never have a name that you aren’t sure of better one that you love whatever the first initial!

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