Holding steady.
Popularity of Kayte since 1978
Babies named Kayte per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 16 |
| 1980s | 158 |
| 1990s | 161 |
| 2000s | 136 |
| 2010s | 37 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Kayte is a modern respelling of Kate that embodies the late 20th century trend of personalizing traditional names with inventive spellings. First recorded in 1978, it saw its peak year in 1988, ranking among rare names that attract parents seeking familiarity with a twist. Despite never cracking the top 1000, its trajectory has remained stable, and it has not been associated with any particular state. The name belongs to a broader movement of 'K' variants of classic names like Katherine, and its enduring low profile suggests appeal to those who want a name that feels both recognizable and distinctive.
Kayte is a modern phonetic respelling of Kate, itself a short form of Katherine. The name Katherine derives from the Greek Aikaterine, with folk etymology connecting it to katharos, meaning 'pure'. The spelling Kayte emerged in the late 20th century, part of a trend of replacing 'C' with 'K' for a distinctive look. It saw modest use in the 1980s, peaking in 1988, but has remained rare and stable in usage since.
“Kayte” around the world
Where Kayte lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kay, Katie
Sibling names for Kayte
Names that share Kayte's style, for a brother or sister.
