Catherine has to be one of the most versatile girls names out there in terms of nicknames, a rival even to Elizabeth and Margaret. Whether your daughter is spunky and energetic or studious and shy, Catherine delivers with one of her many short forms, a few of which are listed below.
Kate- Tailored, mature, and fit for all ages, it’s not hard to see why so many Catherines answer to this short form regularly. The most timeless name on this list, Kate fits the same classic style of Catherine while still knocking a couple syllables off for daily use.
Cathy- Although this short form of Catherine has mostly gone to the grandmas, it did rank pretty high in the late 50s, peaking at #34 in 1958, and last appearing in the top 1000 in 1991, making it a possibility for a comeback in the future.
Katie- Despite being fundamentally very similar to Kate, Katie emulates a totally different ambience. Playfully sweet, this adorable nickname caters to a wide variety of personalities and ages.
Kit- This seldom-used pet name for Christopher has blossomed into a baby name forum staple. A more unisex approach to feminine Catherine, I can see Kit climbing the charts as a full name in the future. Despite being very trendy at the moment, Kit is one of my favorite Catherine nicknames.
Kitty- Perfect for a little girl who doesn’t quite fit a name as formal as Catherine quite yet, Kitty elaborates on the more gender neutral Kit, while also claiming roots in the animal kingdom.
Wren- A bird name that stems from the final syllable of Catherine, Wren or Ren feels like a very contemporary and unexpected short form for the very timeless Catherine.
Cricket- Cricket is to Catherine as Birdie is to Elizabeth, both quirky cool nature names that correspond with more formal full forms. Although it’s hard to imagine a grown woman still answering to Cricket, this mini-moniker is perfect for young kids or pets.
Cece- Even though this spirited appellation is often a nickname for Cecilia, Cece can also work for any C name, including Catherine.
Erin- Although Erin marks the 80s in terms of peak popularity, she’s a full name still widely used today, at #421 as of 2018, which makes her a great nickname for Catherine. Erin, despite not being a very traditional nickname for Catherine, does have all of her letters in sequential order: CathERINe, which makes her a great candidate for an unexpected and modern nickname for Catherine.
~Delphina Moon
Which of these Catherine nicknames do you like best? Did I miss any? Let me know below!
Thank you so much!
I am really enjoying reading your blog!! Your writing is such a pleasure to read and your content is extraordinarily engaging. My daughter's name is Katherine so I naturally read your "Catherine" blog. Her nickname is "Kat." ;-)