Girl · 49th of 27,321
Katie
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
241,287
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1986
Peak Popularity Year
8,371
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Katie stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
Jump to a section
Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Katie is an English name derived from the Greek name Aikaterine, meaning 'pure'. It evolved through various forms before becoming popular as a standalone name. The name is often associated with positive traits such as friendliness and warmth. It does not have a biblical background, and its popularity surged in the late 20th century, with notable bearers contributing to its modern image.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkeɪti/
Origin
English
Etymology
Katie is a diminutive form of the name Katherine, which is derived from the Greek name Aikaterine. The name Katherine is often associated with the Greek word 'katharos', meaning 'pure'.
Meaning
pure
Language Evolution
Aikaterine (Greek), Katherine (Old French), Caterina (Italian), Catherine (English), Katie (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Katie gained popularity in the late 20th century as a standalone name, following the trend of using diminutives as first names.
Variants & Derivatives
Katherine, Catherine, Kat, Kitty
Modern Popularity & Image
Katie is perceived as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with youthful energy and warmth.
Famous People
Katie Couric, American journalist, Katie Holmes, American actress, Katie Ledecky, American swimmer
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 8,371 peak births in 1986
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Mississippi
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 15 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4026th of 7545 | 62 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3965th of 6773 | 58 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 5093rd of 10718 | 64 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3293rd of 16616 | 269 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 13658th of 24088 | 41 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 183rd of 9107 | 20,918 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 258th of 9204 | 12,259 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 388th of 12526 | 10,538 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 180th of 19264 | 26,020 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 49th of 27321 | 105,046 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 110th of 35406 | 46,785 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 396th of 30306 | 9,519 |