Kytte - Pronounciation?

[Peteclag]

Hi There, My wife and I are soon to become parents! We have decided to call our daughter "Kytte" which is a name I came across in a history book. After much research (google) we have found that the name appears to be a form of Catherine originating in the Scotish Lowlands, 16th century. We are hoping that someone out there might be able to confirm the traditional pronounciation of the name. Is "Kytte" pronounced as "Kite" or as "Kite-tee" (as some info have found suggests) or is it something else altogether. We would really appreciate any help you might be able to give us.

[Polwarth]

I'm from Edinburgh, making me a 'centril-beltir' (aka lowlander) and have to admit, it's not a name I've ever encountered - but I would be inclined to think it's just a way of spelling Kitty, which is a short form for Catherine or Catriona.

[Peteclag]

Thanks Polwarth, we really appreciate your help.

[Magenta]

Just a suggestion - don't give the child a name that even you have difficulty pronouncing correctly. It's all very well to try and be different, but she's going to go through life having her name mispronounced and having to explain it to everyone.

[ScotSites]

That's normally good advice Magenta, but at the end of the day even simple or common names can be pronounced (or even spelt) differently to what they should be and no matter how often you correct people they don't always change to suit! So if Peteclag and his wife want to call their daughter Kytte then its up to them; at least they have considered the pronunciation question beforehand and, for what its worth, I agree with Pol that its likely to be a different form of Kitty... tho to be honest I prefer the different spelling!

[Scotsgait]

Originally Posted by Magenta

Just a suggestion - don't give the child a name that even you have difficulty pronouncing correctly. It's all very well to try and be different, but she's going to go through life having her name mispronounced and having to explain it to everyone.

Possibly more importantly, be aware of what the initials spell out. Would she really thank you for calling her Kytte Rose Anne Peteclag ?

[Magenta]

Originally Posted by Scotsgait

Possibly more importantly, be aware of what the initials spell out. Would she really thank you for calling her Kytte Rose Anne Peteclag ?

Excellent point to consider! Without a doubt its up to the parents to decide on the name of their child, but who of us hasn't come across someone with a name they always have to spell, or correct people's pronunciation. Spelling a common name in an unconventional way isn't really original, its trying to be different... but not quite making the grade. This is not just my opinion, its the observations of some of my friends that have problematic names. Some of them enjoy the attention of having to repeat their names, and then usually being asked to spell it, whenever they are introduced to folk, others just find it annoying (especially when its a common name spelled in an unusual way). Anyway, I'm rambling now - best I leave.