Rising since 2017, #5,238 for girls today.
Popularity of Kattleya since 2012
Babies named Kattleya per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 2010s | 171 |
| 2020s | 164 |
Meaning & origin
Kattleya is a modern botanical name first recorded in 2012. Its use grew steadily, with a notable rank of 5,238th in 2025, where roughly 1 in 66,969 newborns received the name. The name peaked in 2024 and has been on a rising trajectory since 2017, reflecting trends favoring nature-inspired, exotic-sounding names. Geographically, it is most popular in Florida, suggesting a regional preference. While still uncommon, Kattleya offers a distinctive and melodic alternative to more traditional floral names. The spelling Kattleya, with a double 't', is slightly more common than the variant Cattleya, and its pronunciation is intuitive. As a modern coinage, its appeal lies in its uniqueness and the elegant imagery of the orchid it references.
Kattleya is a modern English coinage inspired by the Cattleya orchid, named after English botanist William Cattley in the 19th century. The orchid itself was named in his honor, and the name Kattleya emerged as a feminine given name in the early 21st century, likely influenced by the popularity of nature-themed names. It is almost exclusively used in the United States, with the variant spelling Cattleya also seen occasionally.
Where Kattleya is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kat, Lea, Katt
Variants: Cattleya, Katleya
Sibling names for Kattleya
Names that share Kattleya's style, for a brother or sister.
