Declining since 2006, #520 for girls today.
Popularity of Kate since 1880
Babies named Kate per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2007, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Kate's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 3,194 |
| 1890s | 3,001 |
| 1900s | 2,058 |
| 1910s | 2,840 |
| 1920s | 1,966 |
| 1930s | 967 |
| 1940s | 1,002 |
| 1950s | 1,259 |
| 1960s | 2,037 |
| 1970s | 5,496 |
| 1980s | 13,568 |
| 1990s | 9,355 |
| 2000s | 20,768 |
| 2010s | 14,470 |
| 2020s | 4,006 |
Meaning & origin
Kate has been a staple of English naming for centuries, consistently ranking among the top 1,000 names for girls since records began in 1880. Its peak year was 1880, when it held rank 520, and 1 in 2,790 girls received the name in 2025. The name is especially prevalent in states like North Dakota, Utah, and Idaho, where it maintains a stronger foothold than the national average. After a long period of stable popularity, Kate has been on a downward trajectory since 2006, reflecting a broader shift away from classic short forms. Despite this, Kate remains a familiar and well-liked choice, often appreciated as a simple, no-nonsense alternative to longer names like Katherine or Kaitlyn.
Kate originated as a medieval English diminutive of Katherine, itself derived from the Greek name Aikaterine. The name has been in continuous use since the Middle Ages, often as an independent given name rather than a nickname. It gained particular prominence in English-speaking countries in the 19th century.
Where Kate is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Kate” around the world
Where Kate lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
Ireland
#52
in 2025
Quebec
12
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Kate
Names that share Kate's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Emma, Grace, Lily, Sophie, Charlotte, Beth, Jill, Jo, Paige, Lanie, Liz, Nan, Halee, Ame, Char, Salley, Ande, Jaine, Man
Brothers: Jack, Luke, Ben, Sam, Tom, Andy, Bob, Dan, Dave, Drew, Jim, Will, Edd, Lou, Tad, Dann, Jr, Kohl, Lew, Mick, Sim, Skip, Tadd, Brek, Brit, Damin, Jen, Mart, Deke, Tell, Treg, Bartt, Clee, Jes, Jp, Mann
Names like Kate
Names whose popularity has moved with Kate's over the last 50 years.
