Cate vs Emma

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Cate

Girl #5,136 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"pure"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English Irish Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5,136
Total SSA Count
26
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Cate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Cate →

Popularity Comparison

Cate Rank #5,136
Emma Rank #2

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 vs #5136 for Cate.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Cate ___

  • Cate Elizabeth
  • Cate Louise
  • Cate Anne
  • Cate Marie
  • Cate Rose
  • Cate Elise

Emma ___

  • Emma Rose
  • Emma Grace
  • Emma Jane
  • Emma Louise
  • Emma Kate
  • Emma Marie

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Cate

James Henry Oliver Nora Eliza

If you choose Emma

Olivia Charlotte Liam Henry Sophia

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cate or Emma more popular?

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 compared to Cate at #5136 in the United States.

What do Cate and Emma mean?

Cate means "pure" (Greek origin). Emma means "strength" (Germanic origin).

Are Cate and Emma boy or girl names?

Cate is primarily a girl name. Emma is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

Emma vs Cate Cate vs Arayla Cate vs Khori Cate vs Vail Cate vs Adya
← Full profile: Cate ← Full profile: Emma Browse all baby names