Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Kate
GirlEnglish, Greek· “often said to mean 'pure'”
- Meaning
- often said to mean 'pure' (origin disputed)
- Origin
- English, Greek
- Pronunciation
- KAYT
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #522
- US babies 2025
- 576
- Best rank
- #79 (1880)
- Peak year
- 2007
Meaning and origin of Kate
Kate is often said to mean “often said to mean 'pure'”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English and Greek roots.
Kate is a short form of Katherine, which comes from the Greek Aikaterine. The origin of that name is uncertain, but it has long been linked to the Greek katharos, meaning pure. Kate has been a name in its own right for centuries; Shakespeare gave it to the spirited heroine of The Taming of the Shrew. It feels crisp, confident and timeless. Kate works as a standalone name or as a nickname for Katherine, Caitlin and Katelyn. It pairs well with longer middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Cate.
Popularity over time
Kate has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #79 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 2007, when 2,550 were named Kate. In 2025, 576 babies were named Kate, and it ranked #522 nationally. That is 61% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #415 in 1920, #857 in 1950, #197 in 1980, #225 in 2000, #208 in 2010, and #522 in 2025. Of the 85,987 US girls named Kate since records began, 24% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 14,470 babies. Since 2010, 18,476 more have been named Kate.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Giselle, Alana, Miley, Laila, and Kylee.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kate ranked highest in North Dakota, Utah, and Idaho.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | #126 | 8 |
| Utah | #166 | 27 |
| Idaho | #209 | 11 |
| Louisiana | #218 | 20 |
| Iowa | #265 | 13 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Kate is usually pronounced KAYT, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with K and ends in “-te”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Cate.
Middle names for Kate
A few middle names that flow with Kate: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kate
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Lists that include Kate
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kate mean?
Kate is often said to mean “often said to mean 'pure'”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English and Greek roots.
What is the origin of the name Kate?
Kate has English and Greek roots. Kate is a short form of Katherine, which comes from the Greek Aikaterine.
Is Kate a popular name?
Yes. Kate ranked #522 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Kate a boy or girl name?
Kate is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Kate?
Kate is usually pronounced KAYT. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings