Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Kit
UnisexEnglish, Greek· “short for Christopher or Katherine”
- Meaning
- short for Christopher or Katherine
- Origin
- English, Greek
- Pronunciation
- KIHT
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,103
- US babies 2025
- 195
- Best rank
- #786 (1890)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Kit
Kit is an English and Greek name that means “short for Christopher or Katherine”.
Kit is a traditional short form of both Christopher and Katherine. Christopher comes from the Greek Christophoros, meaning bearer of Christ, while Katherine comes from the Greek Aikaterine. The playwright Christopher Marlowe was known as Kit, and the name also belongs to Kit Carson, the American frontiersman. It is used for both boys and girls. The name is short, crisp and playful, with an adventurous feel. The name also appears in literature, as with Kit Nubbles, the loyal young servant in Charles Dickens's The Old Curiosity Shop.
Other spellings with the same sound: Kitt.
Popularity over time
Kit 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 15 different years. Its best national rank was #786 in 1890, and the most babies received it in 2025, when 195 were named Kit. In 2025, 195 babies were named Kit, and it ranked #1,103 nationally. That is 388% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #3,362 in 1920, #831 in 1950, #2,030 in 1980, #5,464 in 2000, #7,901 in 2010, and #1,103 in 2025. Of the 3,946 US boys named Kit since records began, 24% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 726 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Psalm, Marlow, Winslow, Emrys, and Renley.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kit ranked highest in Utah, Colorado, and Kentucky.
Gender, sound and spelling
Kit is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 46% of US babies named Kit were girls and 54% were boys.
Kit is usually pronounced KIHT, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with K and ends in “-it”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Kitt.
Middle names for Kit
A few middle names that flow with Kit: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kit
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Lists that include Kit
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kit mean?
Kit is an English and Greek name that means “short for Christopher or Katherine”.
What is the origin of the name Kit?
Kit has English and Greek roots. Kit is a traditional short form of both Christopher and Katherine.
Is Kit a popular name?
Not especially. Kit ranked #1,103 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Kit a boy or girl name?
Kit is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 46% of US babies named Kit were girls and 54% were boys.
How do you pronounce Kit?
Kit is usually pronounced KIHT. 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