What origin is the name Kate?

Kate comes from irish naming traditions. Names from this origin often carry meanings tied to nature, virtues or heritage.

Is Kate a popular name?

Kate is very rare in official US birth records — fewer than 5 babies of this gender were given the name in any year we checked.

Yes. Kate does not appear in US Social Security birth records, which list every name given to at least 5 babies, so it is rare in the US.

What are good brother names for Kate?

Names from the same irish tradition pair naturally with Kate — for example Liam, Aiden, Aidan. You can browse more on our irish names page.

Kate

Discover the meaning and origin of the name Kate

Kate

Girl

irish

2 syllables

Kate is an irish girl's name meaning "Pure, virginal; a diminutive of katherine: pure; diminutive of catherine: pure, clear. form of the latin katharina, from the greek aikaterina".

The meaning of Kate is "Pure, virginal; a diminutive of katherine: pure; diminutive of catherine: pure, clear. form of the latin katharina, from the greek aikaterina" — a girl name of irish origin. At just 4 letters, it is short and easy to say. It has 2 syllables.

Origin: irish
Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2

Meaning compiled from public name lists.

Meaning

Pure, virginal; a diminutive of katherine: pure; diminutive of catherine: pure, clear. form of the latin katharina, from the greek aikaterina

Popularity

Very rare in US records (source: US Social Security Administration birth records (best rank 2008–2017))

Quick answers about Kate

Very rare in US records

What does Kate mean?

Kate is a girl name of irish origin meaning "Pure, virginal; a diminutive of katherine: pure; diminutive of catherine: pure, clear. form of the latin katharina, from the greek aikaterina".