Declining since 2008, #8,860 for girls today.
Popularity of Cate since 1980
Babies named Cate per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 52 |
| 1990s | 87 |
| 2000s | 932 |
| 2010s | 598 |
| 2020s | 120 |
Meaning & origin
Cate is a concise and elegant short form of Catherine, a name with enduring Greek roots meaning 'pure'. This spelling variant, pronounced identically to Kate, first appeared in U.S. records in 1980 but has never reached widespread popularity. Its highest usage occurred in 2008, when it ranked 8860th, with about 1 in 146,115 births. Since then, its trajectory has been falling, reflecting a broader shift away from traditional Catherine-derived nicknames in favor of more modern choices. Cate's simplicity and clear pronunciation make it a straightforward option for parents seeking a short, classic name without the need for nicknames.
Cate is a diminutive of Catherine, which derives from the Greek name Aikaterine. The name's association with purity comes from the Greek word 'katharos'. It has been used independently since the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Cate
Names that share Cate's style, for a brother or sister.
