Kitty
Clipping of Katherine and related names + -y (diminutive suffix).
Every Kitty since 1880 — 11,657 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kitty
Kitty is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 11,657 American babies have been named Kitty. Its peak came in 1947, when 358 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1940s.
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 Kitty stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kitty year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | 6 | #14,422 |
| 2023 | 6 | #14,357 |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | 10 | #9,933 |
| 2019 | 7 | #13,159 |
| 2018 | 6 | #14,807 |
| 2017 | 12 | #9,078 |
| 2016 | 7 | #13,660 |
| 2015 | 10 | #10,525 |
| 2014 | 14 | #8,300 |
| 2013 | 15 | #7,989 |
| 2012 | 10 | #10,877 |
| 2011 | 11 | #10,093 |
| 2010 | 11 | #10,155 |
| 2009 | 8 | #13,106 |
| 2008 | 15 | #8,347 |
| 2007 | 11 | #10,506 |
| 2006 | 14 | #8,503 |
| 2005 | 16 | #7,334 |
| 2004 | 23 | #5,466 |
| 2003 | 12 | #8,800 |
| 2002 | 11 | #9,181 |
| 2001 | 17 | #6,482 |
| 2000 | 16 | #6,659 |
| 1995 | 21 | #4,770 |
| 1990 | 21 | #4,601 |
| 1985 | 23 | #3,668 |
| 1980 | 43 | #2,295 |
| 1975 | 42 | #2,080 |
| 1970 | 84 | #1,287 |
| 1965 | 127 | #891 |
| 1960 | 263 | #621 |
| 1955 | 269 | #552 |
| 1950 | 228 | #548 |
| 1945 | 210 | #506 |
| 1940 | 150 | #565 |
| 1935 | 130 | #562 |
| 1930 | 114 | #647 |
| 1925 | 127 | #654 |
| 1920 | 85 | #786 |
| 1915 | 105 | #647 |
| 1910 | 46 | #625 |
| 1905 | 33 | #614 |
| 1900 | 39 | #548 |
| 1895 | 30 | #543 |
| 1890 | 27 | #502 |
| 1885 | 18 | #511 |
| 1880 | 9 | #609 |
Famous people named Kitty
- Kitty Winn Actor · b. 1944
- Kitty Wells Singer · 1919–2012
- Kitty Carlisle Actor · 1910–2007
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kitty mean?
Clipping of Katherine and related names + -y (diminutive suffix).
How popular is the name Kitty in 2025?
Kitty did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Kitty?
11,657 babies have been named Kitty in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kitty most popular?
Kitty peaked in 1947, when 358 newborns received the name.
Is Kitty a boy or girl name?
Kitty is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Kitty rising or falling?
Kitty is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Kitty?
Well-known people named Kitty include Kitty Winn (actor), Kitty Wells (singer), Kitty Carlisle (actor).