"each of the two; pure"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Kate
Pronunciation: [ k-AYT ]
Does Kate flow with your last name?
Crisp and pure — two letters that need nothing more
English
Greek
American
Literary
Classic
Cross Gender
Crisp
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Kate
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Kate
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Kate
See all →What the Kate report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Kate the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Kate
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Kate head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Kate actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Kate
Kate is a short form of Katherine (or Catherine), which derives from the Greek 'Aikaterine.' The exact origin of the Greek name is debated — some trace it to the Greek 'katharos' meaning pure or clear, while others suggest a pre-Greek root. Katherine has been one of the most enduring names in Western history, borne by empresses, queens, and saints across two millennia. Kate strips all ceremony away and leaves just the bright, clean, two-letter sound — making it as useful and versatile as a name can be. As a boy's name, Kate is part of the growing tradition of one-syllable names that work beyond traditional gender lines.
Kate is quintessentially British in its no-nonsense brevity — it has been a beloved nickname for centuries, used for everyone from Kate Middleton (now Princess of Wales) to Kate Blanchett. As a boy's name, it is unusual but not unheard of in creative or literary circles. The poet John Keats shares a very similar sound, and the shortness and directness of the name make it appealingly modern for parents seeking brevity.
Kate has been the name of queens, empresses, and cultural icons across centuries. Catherine of Aragon, Catherine the Great of Russia, and Catherine of Siena are just a few. Kate Moss redefined modeling in the 1990s. In Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, the protagonist Katherine (called Kate) is one of literature's most memorable heroines — fierce, witty, and ultimately formidable.
Historical Record
Kate first appeared in US Social Security records in 1979.
Over 79 babies have been named Kate in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kate is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #27,200 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Kate is derived from Katherine, which has been among the top names in virtually every European country for centuries
- There have been at least three major saints named Katherine or Catherine, making it one of the most 'sainted' names in history
- Shakespeare wrote one of his most famous heroines as Kate — the sharp-tongued Katherina in The Taming of the Shrew
Kate in Other Languages
French
Catherine
German
Katharina
Italian
Caterina
Russian
Ekaterina
Spanish
Catalina
Popularity Over Time
#27,200
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Prevail
Boy
"to be stronger, to have more power"
#27,367
Chianti
Boy
"from the Chianti wine region of Tuscany"
#27,315
Farrell
Boy
"man of valor, hero"
#27,294
Precise
Boy
"exact, carefully defined, accurate"
#27,365
Augustis
Boy
#27,392
Compare Kate with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #27,200
- Total SSA Count
- 5
- Cultural Origins
- English Greek American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Kay
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kate
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Kate fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Kate is also used as a girl name, ranked #535.
View Kate as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Kate →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Kate with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Kate
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Kate and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Kate sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Prevail
Boy
Latin origin
"to be stronger, to have more power"
#27,367 in US
Chianti
Boy
Italian place name origin
"from the Chianti wine region of Tuscany"
#27,315 in US
Farrell
Boy
Irish Gaelic origin
"man of valor, hero"
#27,294 in US
Precise
Boy
Latin praecisus via English origin
"exact, carefully defined, accurate"
#27,365 in US
Augustis
Boy
#27,392 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Kate's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kate
What does the name Kate mean?
"each of the two; pure" (from Greek). Kate is a short form of Katherine (or Catherine), which derives from the Greek 'Aikaterine.' The exact origin of the Greek name is debated — some trace it to the Greek 'katharos' meaning pure or clear, while others suggest a pre-Greek root. Katherine has been one of the most enduring names in Western history, borne by empresses, queens, and saints across two millennia. Kate strips all ceremony away and leaves just the bright, clean, two-letter sound — making it as useful and versatile as a name can be. As a boy's name, Kate is part of the growing tradition of one-syllable names that work beyond traditional gender lines.
What is the origin of the name Kate?
Kate has Greek, English, and American origins. In Greek, it means "each of the two; pure".
Is Kate a boy or girl name?
Kate is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #27200. As a girl name, it is ranked #535. Kate is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Kate?
Kate is pronounced k-AYT.
How popular is the name Kate?
Kate is currently ranked #27200 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Kate?
Common nicknames for Kate include Kay.
What are good middle names for Kate?
Popular middle name pairings include Kate James, Kate River, Kate Blue, Kate Sage, and Kate Wilder.
What are good sibling names for Kate?
Names that pair well with Kate as siblings include Bram, Iris, Nell, Pip, and Clem.
How many syllables does Kate have?
Kate has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Kate a common or rare name?
Kate is an uncommon name, ranked #27200 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Kate?
Are there other spellings for Kate?
Related spellings include Kato.
About the Name Kate
Kate is a boy name with English, Greek, and American origins . The name means "each of the two; pure" in Greek .
Is Kate a boy or girl name? Kate is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #27,200 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #535. Kate is more commonly used as a girl name.
Kate is currently ranked #27,200 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Kate has 1 syllable and is pronounced k-AYT, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Kate include Kay. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Kate include Kato . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Greek Names
Browse all names with this origin
K
Names Starting with K
More boy names like Kate
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis