Kate Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Kate Name Meaning

Fact: Kate is a name famously associated with royalty, particularly Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, known as Kate Middleton, who married Prince William in 2011.

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A Deep Dive

Kate Overview

Meaning

Pure, clear, virginal

Gender

Girl

Origin

English, Greek

Etymology

Derived from the Greek name “Aikaterine”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/keɪt/

Popularity

Kate is a name cherished in numerous countries, notably in the UK, Australia, and the USA. In the USA, Kate was ranked as the 413th most popular name for girls in 2023​

Syllable

1 syllable

Length

4 letters

Numerology

1 (Pioneering, Independent, Leading)

Name Styles

Classic, Short, Cool

Associated Traits

Elegant, intelligent, independent, charming

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Kate has been associated with Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a revered Christian martyr.

Name Day

November 25th (USA), March 9th (Latvia), December 31st (Hungary)
A Deep Dive

Kate Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Katherine, Catherine, Kaitlyn, Katerina, Katya, Katelyn

Common Nicknames

Katie, Kat, Kitty, Kiki, Kaye, Katty

Diminutives

Katey, Kaytee, Katy, Katty, Kitte, Kittie

Famous People

  • Kate Winslet
    (Actress, born 1975)
  • Kate Bush
    (Singer, born 1958)
  • Kate Beckinsale
    (Actress, born 1973)
  • Kate Chopin
    (Author, 1850-1904)
  • Kate Spade
    (Fashion Designer, 1962-2018)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Kate Austen
    ("Lost," TV Series)
  • Kate Beckett
    ("Castle," TV Series)
  • Kate Bishop
    ("Hawkeye," TV Series)
  • "Kate & Leopold"
    (Film)
  • Kate Winslet
    ("Titanic," Film)
  • Kate Mosse
    ("Labyrinth," Novel)

Places

  • Kate Creek
    (Queensland, Australia)
  • Kate Mountain
    (New York, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Kate?

Kate means “pure” and reflects qualities of innocence and sincerity. Kate is a name associated with individuals who are kind-hearted and genuine.

What Is the Origin of The Name Kate?

Kate is derived from the Greek name Aikaterine. Over time, it evolved into various forms, with Kate becoming a popular short form in English-speaking countries.

Kate Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Kate in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#4142021#4542022#4772023
Top 3 Rankings#791880#861881#861884

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Kate

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023477
(-23 from 2022)
639
(-56 from 2022)
0.03653
2022454
(-40 from 2021)
695
(-62 from 2021)
0.03876
2021414
(-2 from 2020)
757
(-6 from 2020)
0.04225
2020412
(-89 from 2019)
763
(-226 from 2019)
0.04316
2019323
(-38 from 2018)
989
(-174 from 2018)
0.05390
2018285
(-11 from 2017)
1163
(-7 from 2017)
0.06254
2017274
(-40 from 2016)
1170
(-219 from 2016)
0.06193
2016234
(-12 from 2015)
1389
(-88 from 2015)
0.07175
2015222
(-14 from 2014)
1477
(-143 from 2014)
0.07571
2014208
(-23 from 2013)
1620
(-118 from 2013)
0.08281
2013185
(+7 from 2012)
1738
(+95 from 2012)
0.09016
2012192
(-17 from 2011)
1643
(-148 from 2011)
0.08471
2011175
(+33 from 2010)
1791
(+301 from 2010)
0.09243
2010208
(-49 from 2009)
1490
(-499 from 2009)
0.07599
2009159
(-20 from 2008)
1989
(-432 from 2008)
0.09822
2008139
(-3 from 2007)
2421
(-129 from 2007)
0.11623
2007136
(+6 from 2006)
2550
(+109 from 2006)
0.12048
2006142
(-1 from 2005)
2441
(+37 from 2005)
0.11677
2005141
(+6 from 2004)
2404
(+186 from 2004)
0.11845
2004147
(+14 from 2003)
2218
(+163 from 2003)
0.10992
2003161
(+32 from 2002)
2055
(+388 from 2002)
0.10242
2002193
(+7 from 2001)
1667
(+41 from 2001)
0.08440
2001200
(+25 from 2000)
1626
(+229 from 2000)
0.08208
2000225
(+4 from 1999)
1397
(-3 from 1999)
0.07000
1999229
(+43 from 1998)
1400
(+261 from 1998)
0.07191
1998272
(+51 from 1997)
1139
(+245 from 1997)
0.05876
1997323
(+21 from 1996)
894
(+83 from 1996)
0.04682
1996344
(+20 from 1995)
811
(+93 from 1995)
0.04230
1995364
(-13 from 1994)
718
(-34 from 1994)
0.03737
1994351
(-16 from 1993)
752
(-33 from 1993)
0.03858
1993335
(-11 from 1992)
785
(-53 from 1992)
0.03982
1992324
(-36 from 1991)
838
(-141 from 1991)
0.04180
1991288
(-18 from 1990)
979
(-60 from 1990)
0.04815
1990270
(-22 from 1989)
1039
(-41 from 1989)
0.05057
1989248
(-18 from 1988)
1080
(-73 from 1988)
0.05421
1988230
(-39 from 1987)
1153
(-296 from 1987)
0.05995
1987191
(-5 from 1986)
1449
(+6 from 1986)
0.07731
1986186
(-7 from 1985)
1443
(-48 from 1985)
0.07819
1985179
(-1 from 1984)
1491
(-62 from 1984)
0.08076
1984178
(+21 from 1983)
1553
(+219 from 1983)
0.08612
1983199
(+3 from 1982)
1334
(-7 from 1982)
0.07454
1982202
(-10 from 1981)
1341
(-55 from 1981)
0.07391
1981192
(+5 from 1980)
1396
(+67 from 1980)
0.07805
1980197
(+11 from 1979)
1329
(+69 from 1979)
0.07464
1979208
(+35 from 1978)
1260
(+262 from 1978)
0.07312
1978243
(+47 from 1977)
998
(+170 from 1977)
0.06071
1977290
(+98 from 1976)
828
(+298 from 1976)
0.05033
1976388
(+34 from 1975)
530
(+53 from 1975)
0.03372
1975422
(+79 from 1974)
477
(+125 from 1974)
0.03056
1974501
(+77 from 1973)
352
(+77 from 1973)
0.02247
1973578
(+32 from 1972)
275
(+18 from 1972)
0.01770
1972610
(+71 from 1971)
257
(+31 from 1971)
0.01594
1971681
(-85 from 1970)
226
(-68 from 1970)
0.01290
1970596
(+66 from 1969)
294
(+70 from 1969)
0.01605
1969662
(+29 from 1968)
224
(+28 from 1968)
0.01271
1968691
(+59 from 1967)
196
(+24 from 1967)
0.01146
1967750
(-14 from 1966)
172
(-7 from 1966)
0.01002
1966736
(-48 from 1965)
179
(-25 from 1965)
0.01019
1965688
(+25 from 1964)
204
(-7 from 1964)
0.01116
1964713
(-6 from 1963)
211
(+4 from 1963)
0.01078
1963707
(-9 from 1962)
207
(-11 from 1962)
0.01041
1962698
(+8 from 1961)
218
(-2 from 1961)
0.01076
1961706
(+2 from 1960)
220
(+13 from 1960)
0.01059
1960708
(+65 from 1959)
207
(+34 from 1959)
0.00995
1959773
(+33 from 1958)
173
(+17 from 1958)
0.00832
1958806
(-16 from 1957)
156
(-7 from 1957)
0.00755
1957790
(+178 from 1956)
163
(+55 from 1956)
0.00777
1956968
(-85 from 1955)
108
(-13 from 1955)
0.00524
1955883
(+82 from 1954)
121
(+20 from 1954)
0.00604
1954965
(-98 from 1953)
101
(-16 from 1953)
0.00507
1953867
(+54 from 1952)
117
(+16 from 1952)
0.00606
1952921
(-75 from 1951)
101
(-11 from 1951)
0.00531
1951846
(+9 from 1950)
112
(+5 from 1950)
0.00606
1950855
(-20 from 1949)
107
(-4 from 1949)
0.00608
1949835
(+2 from 1948)
111
(+2 from 1948)
0.00632
1948837
(-46 from 1947)
109
(-11 from 1947)
0.00625
1947791
(+89 from 1946)
120
(+31 from 1946)
0.00660
1946880
(-17 from 1945)
89
(+13 from 1945)
0.00552
1945863
(-55 from 1944)
76
(-13 from 1944)
0.00565
1944808
(-40 from 1943)
89
(-13 from 1943)
0.00651
1943768
(-16 from 1942)
102
(+1 from 1942)
0.00711
1942752
(-84 from 1941)
101
(-10 from 1941)
0.00726
1941668
(+50 from 1940)
111
(+17 from 1940)
0.00891
1940718
(-63 from 1939)
94
(-13 from 1939)
0.00796
1939655
(+50 from 1938)
107
(+12 from 1938)
0.00944
1938705
(+47 from 1937)
95
(+14 from 1937)
0.00832
1937752
(-69 from 1936)
81
(-14 from 1936)
0.00735
1936683
(-48 from 1935)
95
(-10 from 1935)
0.00882
1935635
(+54 from 1934)
105
(+11 from 1934)
0.00966
1934689
(+26 from 1933)
94
(+11 from 1933)
0.00868
1933715
(-27 from 1932)
83
(-14 from 1932)
0.00793
1932688
(-21 from 1931)
97
(-2 from 1931)
0.00877
1931667
(-15 from 1930)
99
(-12 from 1930)
0.00897
1930652
(-31 from 1929)
111
(-11 from 1929)
0.00952
1929621
(-6 from 1928)
122
(-9 from 1928)
0.01054
1928615
(-38 from 1927)
131
(-20 from 1927)
0.01096
1927577
(-30 from 1926)
151
(-13 from 1926)
0.01221
1926547
(-3 from 1925)
164
(-9 from 1925)
0.01333
1925544
(-76 from 1924)
173
(-49 from 1924)
0.01370
1924468
(-10 from 1923)
222
(-3 from 1923)
0.01713
1923458
(-15 from 1922)
225
(-9 from 1922)
0.01796
1922443
(-45 from 1921)
234
(-55 from 1921)
0.01876
1921398
(+17 from 1920)
289
(+34 from 1920)
0.02258
1920415
(-47 from 1919)
255
(-54 from 1919)
0.02050
1919368
(+10 from 1918)
309
(+7 from 1918)
0.02631
1918378
(-28 from 1917)
302
(-20 from 1917)
0.02512
1917350
(-4 from 1916)
322
(+4 from 1916)
0.02866
1916346
(-21 from 1915)
318
(-21 from 1915)
0.02929
1915325
(-29 from 1914)
339
(+28 from 1914)
0.03311
1914296
(+1 from 1913)
311
(+54 from 1913)
0.03904
1913297
(-16 from 1912)
257
(-3 from 1912)
0.03924
1912281
(-17 from 1911)
260
(+44 from 1911)
0.04431
1911264
(+6 from 1910)
216
(+10 from 1910)
0.04889
1910270
(-5 from 1909)
206
(+23 from 1909)
0.04910
1909265
(-14 from 1908)
183
(-8 from 1908)
0.04972
1908251
(+3 from 1907)
191
(+7 from 1907)
0.05387
1907254
(-31 from 1906)
184
(-12 from 1906)
0.05453
1906223
(+11 from 1905)
196
(+13 from 1905)
0.06253
1905234
(-27 from 1904)
183
(-30 from 1904)
0.05906
1904207
(+1 from 1903)
213
(+11 from 1903)
0.07284
1903208
(-8 from 1902)
202
(-11 from 1902)
0.07261
1902200
(+2 from 1901)
213
(+17 from 1901)
0.07598
1901202
(-22 from 1900)
196
(-101 from 1900)
0.07710
1900180
(+7 from 1899)
297
(+78 from 1899)
0.09347
1899187
(-19 from 1898)
219
(-78 from 1898)
0.08849
1898168
(-1 from 1897)
297
(+30 from 1897)
0.10834
1897167
(-13 from 1896)
267
(-36 from 1896)
0.10754
1896154
(+8 from 1895)
303
(+41 from 1895)
0.12024
1895162
(-29 from 1894)
262
(-66 from 1894)
0.10603
1894133
(-1 from 1893)
328
(+5 from 1893)
0.13900
1893132
(-6 from 1892)
323
(-22 from 1892)
0.14341
1892126
(+1 from 1891)
345
(+40 from 1891)
0.15339
1891127
(-11 from 1890)
305
(-47 from 1890)
0.15516
1890116
(-11 from 1889)
352
(-10 from 1889)
0.17455
1889105
(+2 from 1888)
362
(+2 from 1888)
0.19131
1888107
(-5 from 1887)
360
(+29 from 1887)
0.19003
1887102
(-2 from 1886)
331
(-4 from 1886)
0.21297
1886100
(-4 from 1885)
335
(+26 from 1885)
0.21791
188596
(-10 from 1884)
309
(-35 from 1884)
0.21769
188486
(+4 from 1883)
344
(+50 from 1883)
0.25003
188390
(-3 from 1882)
294
(+1 from 1882)
0.24488
188287
(-1 from 1881)
293
(+26 from 1881)
0.25325
188186
(-7 from 1880)
267
(-32 from 1880)
0.27009
188079
First SSA data recorded
299
First SSA data recorded
0.30634

American States Popularity Rankings for Kate

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#4642021#5332022#6222023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#4762021#6152022#7102023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#3592021#3262022#3922023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#4642021#4812022#5442023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#7222021#7582022#5752023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#4732021#7272022#3142023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#4792021#5162022#4562023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#3742021#4042022#4722023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#6472021#4012022#5652023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#9862021#5932022#8292023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#982021#1422022#1892023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#3402021#3542022#4412023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#5672021#7012022#7452023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#4252021#10282022#5702023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#5192021#3742022#5292023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#7852021#4172022#4312023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#3222021#10042022#5272023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#4542021#2962022#3912023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#3382021#5112022#3152023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#1692021#2682022#2482023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#2992021#4242022#4522023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#4542021#3952022#5842023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#6142021#5732022#5272023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#4792021#3742022#6322023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#6662021#10472022#7272023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#1742021#6302022#3292023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#9072021#4542022#7612023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#4062020#6992021#4272023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#6432021#8672022#4462023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#3022021#3002022#2302023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#2662021#3442022#2842023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#3882021#3852022#2232023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#6012021#3332022#6132023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#3832020#4452021#5032022

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1632008#1532011#2442013

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#1732020#1552021#3492023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#2492021#3482022#5222023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1392007#1232008#1852009

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#4052020#5752021#4622022

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1112008#1052009#1672011

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1602018#2102022#1402023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2562012#1382013#2782015

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1122002#1272005#672006

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1512019#2372021#1802022

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2202018#2142019#2132023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3782016#3792017#2972022

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3772012#1812014#3612020

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1842009#1552010#1482021

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#802013#1772015#2072016

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#2162011#1702012#1722016

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1182014#1162015#1002019

Popularity Rankings for Kate in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#282021#362022#382023

Popularity in Latvia

Latvia flagLatvia#352010#372015#372020

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#612006#652007#842008

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#1082021#1032022#1262023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#2042020#2452021#2782022

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2352020#2142021#2482022

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#2982021#3912022#5822023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3132020#3632021#3802022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#3302021#3512022#3192023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#3832015#5002016#5672017

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#4782002#5192006#3972008

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#4462016#4712020#4672022

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#7112019#5202021#7562022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#6092019#7712020#7342021

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Kate a Name for Boys or Girls?

Kate is typically a name for girls. It has a feminine sound and is commonly used as a nickname for Katherine or Caitlin.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Kate

Kate in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Kate Winslet (Actress, born 1975): An English actress, acclaimed for her roles in both independent films and blockbusters like "Titanic."
  • Kate Bush (Singer, born 1958): An influential English singer-songwriter, celebrated for her unique musical style and hit songs like "Wuthering Heights."
  • Kate Beckinsale (Actress, born 1973): A British actress, notable for her roles in films such as "Underworld" and "Pearl Harbor."
  • Kate Chopin (Author, 1850-1904): An American author, famous for her novel "The Awakening" and her pioneering feminist literature.
  • Kate Spade (Fashion Designer, 1962-2018): An American fashion designer, known for founding the designer brand Kate Spade New York.
  • Kate Hudson (Actress, born 1979): An American actress, recognized for her roles in romantic comedies like "Almost Famous" and "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days."
  • Kate Austen ("Lost," 2004 TV Series): A fugitive who becomes one of the leaders among the survivors of a mysterious island crash.
  • Kate Beckett ("Castle," 2009 TV Series): A NYPD detective who solves crimes with the help of mystery writer Richard Castle.
  • Kate Bishop ("Hawkeye," 2021 TV Series): A skilled archer who takes up the mantle of Hawkeye to fight crime.
  • "Kate & Leopold" (2001 Film): A romantic comedy about a duke from the 19th century who time-travels to modern-day New York and falls in love with a woman named Kate.
  • Kate Winslet ("Titanic," 1997 Film): An actress who played Rose DeWitt Bukater, a young woman who falls in love aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic.
  • Kate Mosse ("Labyrinth," 2005 Novel): A historical novel that intertwines the stories of two women, one from the 13th century and one from the present day.
  • Kate Beckinsale ("Underworld," 2003 Film Series): An actress known for her role as Selene, a vampire warrior in a secret war between vampires and werewolves.
  • Kate Creek (Queensland, Australia): A tranquil creek offering scenic views and outdoor activities.
  • Kate Street (New York, USA): A residential street located in the bustling city of New York.
  • Kate Mountain (New York, USA): A mountain providing hiking trails and panoramic views of the Adirondacks.
  • Kate Lake (Minnesota, USA): A serene lake surrounded by forests and ideal for fishing and kayaking.
  • Kate National Park (Western Australia, Australia): A national park with diverse ecosystems and wildlife.
  • Kate River (Northern Territory, Australia): A river flowing through remote and rugged landscapes, ideal for adventure seekers.
  • Kate Island (British Columbia, Canada): A small island with picturesque landscapes and rich marine life.

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Sibling Names for Kate

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