Kate
How to say it: KAYT · /ˈkeɪt/
Short form of Katherine, from Greek 'Aikaterine'. Meaning uncertain; possibly 'pure' from Greek 'katharos'.
Kate was the 506th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 576 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1880s, its births are down about 61% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #735 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #506 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 576 |
| Share of births | 1 in 5,755 |
| Peak decade | 1880s |
| Change over 10 years | −61% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #735 |
| In France, 2025 | #1,126 among girls’ names, 20 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Long ago in the 1880s Kate reached its height. It now sits far below that peak and should slip further.
What goes with it
Crisp and clipped in a single syllable pronounced KAYT. Claire and Tess share its spare style.
Nicknames
- Katie
- Katy
- Kit
Honouring a Kate in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Kate is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Irish, Norwegian, Swedish, Welsh.
In France: #1,126 for girls in 2025.
Ireland: #53.
Famous people named Kate
- Kate Winslet (born 1975)English actress
- Kate Hudson (born 1979)American actress and singer
- Kate Mara (born 1983)American actress
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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