A Rose By Any Other Name

[KatieP]

Hello All,
May I have your opinions please?

For 30 years I have gone by "Kate" although that is not my legal name. For 30 years, my official signature has said, "Kate" even though that does not match the legal name. It has not been an issue.


In talking about, finally, a legal name change, I told my partner that I thought it would have to be "Kathleen" since that is the formal version of "Kate." Their comment was, "Why not just Kate?"


Ummm. Hmmmm. I hadn't thought about that...


So my question to you all is: Is your legal name a more formal version of your go-by-it name?


And, Is "Kate" too informal for a formal, legal name?


Thanks for your thoughts!

Kate, or Kathleen, or who knows what?

[Arianna Valentine]

Hello All,
May I have your opinions please?

For 30 years I have gone by "Kate" although that is not my legal name. For 30 years, my official signature has said, "Kate" even though that does not match the legal name. It has not been an issue.


In talking about, finally, a legal name change, I told my partner that I thought it would have to be "Kathleen" since that is the formal version of "Kate." Their comment was, "Why not just Kate?"


Ummm. Hmmmm. I hadn't thought about that...


So my question to you all is: Is your legal name a more formal version of your go-by-it name?


And, Is "Kate" too informal for a formal, legal name?


Thanks for your thoughts!

Kate, or Kathleen, or who knows what?

Honestly I just picked what I wanted I liked the name Arianna so that's what I went with if you like Kate go with Kate lol and no I don't think it's to informal but if you want you can also try Katie out

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[Julie -2010]

I like Kate and you should go with what is comfortable for you.  Your only going to do it once.  I think Families named their children after a different relative they knew but called them the name that they liked.  I just think that is the old fashioned way that people named children.

My vote is for Kate.

[KatieP]

Thanks, Arianna, and Julie!!

So, Julie, may I ask if your legal name is "Julie?"



It doesn't change how I value your response. Just curious...

Kate

[Arianna Valentine]

Thanks, Arianna, and Julie!!

So, Julie, may I ask if your legal name is "Julie?"



It doesn't change how I value your response. Just curious...

Kate

Just remember whatever name you pick it's for life so make sure that you like it no make sure you love it

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[KatieP]

Hi Adrianna,
That is a VERY good point.

I am quite comfortable with Kate, and with such long use completely think of that name as "Me."

Although...

I didn't much like the first name I had, that my parents gave me, and I am now changing it. Couldn't I do the same if I should have regrets this time?



Nope. I don't think that will be a problem. After 30 years, it is my name. But perhaps "Kathys" or "Bills" think the same thing even though they have a different "formal" name...

K

[Arianna Valentine]

Hi Adrianna,
That is a VERY good point.

I am quite comfortable with Kate, and with such long use completely think of that name as "Me."

Although...

I didn't much like the first name I had, that my parents gave me, and I am now changing it. Couldn't I do the same if I should have regrets this time?



Nope. I don't think that will be a problem. After 30 years, it is my name. But perhaps "Kathys" or "Bills" think the same thing even though they have a different "formal" name...

K

I completely understand that my given name was Zackery I hated it so much so when I got to pick my name I found one I love lol

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[Sonja]

@KatieP

Hi Kathleen ------- (how did it feel reading that?)

I'm in two minds about this. I have always found it quite cute that you have a formal name and then tell friends they can call you ....... a shortened version reserved for family and friends. I'm also a bit traditional so I like the nature of the way people get named.
Having said that, these are modern times and you are a modern women so.......
hmmm..

Sonja.

[Arianna Valentine]

@KatieP

Hi Kathleen ------- (how did it feel reading that?)

I'm in two minds about this. I have always found it quite cute that you have a formal name and then tell friends they can call you ....... a shortened version reserved for family and friends. I'm also a bit traditional so I like the nature of the way people get named.
Having said that, these are modern times and you are a modern women so.......
hmmm..

Sonja.

Ok that is true people call me Ari or Aria I like how it sounds exotic like from the islands or something

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[CarlyMcx]

My legal name is just Carly, not Carolina or anything long or formal.  I saved that bit of fun for my middle name, Emelinda.

Cheers, Carly.

[StacyRenee]

My sister, cis female, is Beth. Just plain Beth. Not Elizabeth.

[KathyLauren]

Hi, Kate. 

I am a Kathleen.  It is a perfectly good name, and I'll be happy to share it with you if that's what you want.  But if you feel you are a Kate, there is no reason why that cannot be your legal name.  You can legally call yourself anything you want as long as it is not for the purpose of fraud.

I wanted my signature to be Kathy, and for people to address me that way.  But the -y ending is specifically a diminutive, so while it would have been legal to use Kathy as my legal name, I wanted a formal name.  I kind of like the idea of a formal and informal name anyway. 

I just had to decide if I was going to be a Katherine or a Kathleen.  I decided on Kathleen because it is the Irish version, and I was born in Ireland.  My old name, Keith, was Scottish, so the Celtic connection felt right.  And my mother-in-law's middle name was Kathleen, so my wife liked it.  I think it also eased the transition for my in-laws.

[salaniaseviltwin]

I knew a cis-woman whose name was Becky. That was her full name. I had asked her if it was short for Rebecca, she actually teled at me not to ever call her Rebecca because her full name is Becky and she hates being called Rebecca.

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[KatieP]

I just had to decide if I was going to be a Katherine or a Kathleen.  I decided on Kathleen because it is the Irish version, and I was born in Ireland.  My old name, Keith, was Scottish, so the Celtic connection felt right.  And my mother-in-law's middle name was Kathleen, so my wife liked it.  I think it also eased the transition for my in-laws.

HA! That is very fun! My old name is Keith too. I too thought about Katherine and rejected it for two reasons: First, my daughter's best friend, and sort of my third daughter, is Katherine and that felt weird. Second, I thought Katherine was English in background, and as a Scot at heart, that wasn't going to work...

Thanks so much for sharing your history and perspective...

Kate/Kathleen...

[Kylo]

Lots of people use shortened versions of names in their own right now. I have observed it more and more down the years. Names seem to be evolving into shorter forms.

[Johnni Gyrl]

My vote would also be for 'Kathleen' as the formal version of 'Kate,' - ( also due to having massive Scottish-Irish connections ) and think it would look better on passports, legal documents etc... and you can simply tell your friends to call you Kate. However, it's your life, your opinion & totally your call.

ps. There's also a beautiful song by Phil Lynott ( from Thin Lizzy ) called 'Kathleen' about his 2nd daughter. It's less well known than 'Sarah' which was a big hit song about his 1st daughter, but a great tune all the same.

[StacyRenee]

Also, when I picked my name, I wanted a name that sounded like a nickname, something that couldn't really be shortened into a nickname. I guess Stacy originally was a nickname for Anastasia or the like.

[Julie -2010]

Thanks, Arianna, and Julie!!

So, Julie, may I ask if your legal name is "Julie?"



It doesn't change how I value your response. Just curious...

Kate

No, my legal name is still my male name, but when I go that legal route (i hope soon) it will be Julie.

P.S.  I like Kate for your formal name and Katie for those friends that are close to you.    (I've just always like the name Katie)

[KatieP]

No, my legal name is still my male name, but when I go that legal route (i hope soon) it will be Julie.

P.S.  I like Kate for your formal name and Katie for those friends that are close to you.    (I've just always like the name Katie)

OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH. Now THAT is a VERY fun idea. I had not even thought of that!! Do you think out of the box in your normal work life? I would expect you have a job that requires such thinking... Thanks!!

And, I REALLY like Julie. I have always thought it sounded sophisticated and cute at the same time.

Katie

[Julie -2010]

OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH. Now THAT is a VERY fun idea. I had not even thought of that!! Do you think out of the box in your normal work life? I would expect you have a job that requires such thinking... Thanks!!

And, I REALLY like Julie. I have always thought it sounded sophisticated and cute at the same time.

Katie

I probably think to much and that is my problem. 

I've always love the name Julie and I'm not sure I've ever known a Julie when I was younger.  Now I'm stuck with the name because it fits me. 
  Bobby Sherman love the name Julie.  LOL

Take care Katie

Julie