I voted for Catherine because I think it looks more sophisticated for when she's older, but it might depend on how long your last name is. If it's really long, I'd probably go with Kathryn.
Also, for me, it depends on what nn you might use. If you like Kate/Cate, go with Katherine/Catherine, but if you prefer Kathy/Cathy, Kathryn/Cathryn seems more appropriate. I know that technically, any of those nns can go with any spelling, but that's how they seem to fit best to me.
Just my 2 cents,
Stephanie w/ Megan (6/6/03) and baby girl #2 due 11/25/04
My DD is Kathryn, but I honestly love both spellings you listed!!!
When we decided to go with the Kathryn spelling my DH & I were a little concerned that Kathryn did not look as formal as Catherine/Katherine. Our concern was peaked by my MIL who hated the Kathryn spelling (although of course she would never admit it now).
In the end, we just really preferred the way Kathryn eliminated the awkward "e" in there...some people pronounce Katherine with 3 syllables, others pronounce it with 2, and I feel that with Kathryn it always gets pronounced with just 2 syllables. We have a somewhat uncommon last name that begins with a B, and Kathryn just sounds better and looks better with our LN. If our LN was something else we might have chosen Catherine or Katherine.
Also, while we were never out to name our kids with the same letter as ourselves, to us the name Kathryn just looked more like the "right" name for a DD for Karl (DH's name) and Gretchen (me). I don't know why. But it was a perfect fit and I've never regretted it.
Good luck...either way I love the name (of course) ;-)
Catherine is more traditional, although some would argue. No matter how you spell it she will ALWAYS have to spell it because there are so many different ways. That's my legal first name. I can't stand it when someone doesn't ask or assumes it spelled with a K.
Also, for me, it depends on what nn you might use. If you like Kate/Cate, go with Katherine/Catherine, but if you prefer Kathy/Cathy, Kathryn/Cathryn seems more appropriate. I know that technically, any of those nns can go with any spelling, but that's how they seem to fit best to me.
Just my 2 cents,
Stephanie w/ Megan (6/6/03) and baby girl #2 due 11/25/04
When we decided to go with the Kathryn spelling my DH & I were a little concerned that Kathryn did not look as formal as Catherine/Katherine. Our concern was peaked by my MIL who hated the Kathryn spelling (although of course she would never admit it now).
In the end, we just really preferred the way Kathryn eliminated the awkward "e" in there...some people pronounce Katherine with 3 syllables, others pronounce it with 2, and I feel that with Kathryn it always gets pronounced with just 2 syllables. We have a somewhat uncommon last name that begins with a B, and Kathryn just sounds better and looks better with our LN. If our LN was something else we might have chosen Catherine or Katherine.
Also, while we were never out to name our kids with the same letter as ourselves, to us the name Kathryn just looked more like the "right" name for a DD for Karl (DH's name) and Gretchen (me). I don't know why. But it was a perfect fit and I've never regretted it.
Good luck...either way I love the name (of course) ;-)