Esme vs Kate

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Esme

Girl #344 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"beloved, esteemed"

Origin: French

Cultural Roots

English French Scottish Persian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#344
Total SSA Count
901
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ez

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Esme →

Kate

Girl #535 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"pure, clear"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English American Irish British Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#535
Total SSA Count
569
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Katie, Kay

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kate →

Popularity Comparison

Esme Rank #344
Kate Rank #535

Esme is more popular, ranked #344 vs #535 for Kate.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Esme ___

  • Esme Rose
  • Esme Pearl
  • Esme Violet
  • Esme Gray
  • Esme Wren
  • Esme June

Kate ___

  • Kate Elizabeth
  • Kate Louise
  • Kate Amelia
  • Kate Rose
  • Kate Alexandra
  • Kate Anne

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Esme

Soren Jasper Ottilie Wren Felix

If you choose Kate

William Henry Emma Charlotte George

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 Esme or Kate more popular?

Esme is more popular, ranked #344 compared to Kate at #535 in the United States.

What do Esme and Kate mean?

Esme means "beloved, esteemed" (French origin). Kate means "pure, clear" (Greek origin).

Are Esme and Kate boy or girl names?

Esme is primarily a girl name. Kate is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Esme ← Full profile: Kate Browse all baby names