Kate
Kate: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /keɪt/
Meaning and origin of Kate
- A diminutive of the female given name Katherine and related names, also used as a formal given name.
How popular is Kate?
Since 1880, 85,987 girls and 89 boys in the U.S. have been named Kate (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #79 in 1880. Its highest rank for boys was #1228 in 1902. In 2025 it ranked #522 for girls, with 576 babies given the name.
Names similar to Kate
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Sibling name ideas for Kate
Names that peaked around the same time as Kate and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Kate FAQ
What does the name Kate mean?
A diminutive of the female given name Katherine and related names, also used as a formal given name.
How popular is the name Kate?
Since 1880, 85,987 girls and 89 boys in the U.S. have been named Kate (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #79 in 1880. Its highest rank for boys was #1228 in 1902. In 2025 it ranked #522 for girls, with 576 babies given the name.
Is Kate a boy or girl name?
Kate is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 85,987 girls and 89 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.