Kate
A diminutive of the female given name Katherine and related names, also used as a formal given name.
Every Kate since 1880 — 86,076 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kate
Kate is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #522 in 2025 with 576 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 86,076 American babies have been named Kate. Its peak came in 2007, when 2,550 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Kate stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kate year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 576 | #522 | — | — |
| 2024 | 572 | #533 | — | — |
| 2023 | 640 | #480 | — | — |
| 2022 | 695 | #456 | — | — |
| 2021 | 758 | #415 | — | — |
| 2020 | 765 | #412 | — | — |
| 2019 | 989 | #324 | — | — |
| 2018 | 1,163 | #285 | — | — |
| 2017 | 1,170 | #274 | — | — |
| 2016 | 1,389 | #234 | — | — |
| 2015 | 1,477 | #222 | — | — |
| 2014 | 1,620 | #208 | — | — |
| 2013 | 1,738 | #185 | — | — |
| 2012 | 1,643 | #192 | — | — |
| 2011 | 1,791 | #175 | — | — |
| 2010 | 1,490 | #208 | — | — |
| 2009 | 1,989 | #159 | — | — |
| 2008 | 2,421 | #139 | — | — |
| 2007 | 2,550 | #136 | — | — |
| 2006 | 2,441 | #142 | — | — |
| 2005 | 2,404 | #141 | 5 | #12,402 |
| 2004 | 2,218 | #147 | 9 | #7,879 |
| 2003 | 2,055 | #161 | — | — |
| 2002 | 1,667 | #193 | — | — |
| 2001 | 1,626 | #200 | 7 | #8,767 |
| 2000 | 1,397 | #225 | — | — |
| 1995 | 718 | #364 | — | — |
| 1990 | 1,038 | #270 | — | — |
| 1985 | 1,491 | #179 | 6 | #6,172 |
| 1980 | 1,329 | #197 | 8 | #4,733 |
| 1975 | 477 | #423 | — | — |
| 1970 | 294 | #598 | — | — |
| 1965 | 203 | #690 | — | — |
| 1960 | 208 | #708 | — | — |
| 1955 | 121 | #886 | — | — |
| 1950 | 107 | #857 | — | — |
| 1945 | 76 | #864 | — | — |
| 1940 | 94 | #718 | — | — |
| 1935 | 105 | #636 | — | — |
| 1930 | 111 | #652 | — | — |
| 1925 | 173 | #544 | — | — |
| 1920 | 255 | #415 | — | — |
| 1915 | 339 | #326 | 5 | #4,113 |
| 1910 | 206 | #271 | — | — |
| 1905 | 183 | #234 | — | — |
| 1900 | 297 | #180 | — | — |
| 1895 | 262 | #162 | — | — |
| 1890 | 352 | #116 | — | — |
| 1885 | 309 | #97 | — | — |
| 1880 | 299 | #79 | — | — |
Famous people named Kate
- Kate Bush Singer · b. 1958
- Kate Winslet Actor · b. 1975
- Kate Beckinsale Actor · b. 1973
- Kate Capshaw Actor · b. 1953
- Kate Millett Writer · 1934–2017
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kate mean?
A diminutive of the female given name Katherine and related names, also used as a formal given name.
How popular is the name Kate in 2025?
Kate ranked #522 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 576 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Kate?
86,076 babies have been named Kate in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kate most popular?
Kate peaked in 2007, when 2,550 newborns received the name.
Is Kate a boy or girl name?
Kate is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Kate rising or falling?
Kate is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Kate?
Well-known people named Kate include Kate Bush (singer), Kate Winslet (actor), Kate Beckinsale (actor).