Cate Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAYT //keɪt//
Origin: Latin; English
Meaning: Latin: pure; English: a diminutive of Catherine
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Cate is derived from the Latin name "Catherine," which itself originates from the Greek "Aikaterine." The etymology of Aikaterine is debated, but it is often linked to the Greek word "katharos," meaning "pure." This connection imbues the name with connotations of purity and clarity. The name made its way into English through the Old French form "Catherine," which was popularized in England during the medieval period, particularly after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.
The name has various spellings and forms, including Kate and Caitlin, which have also entered the English lexicon over the centuries. Historically, the name Catherine has been borne by numerous notable figures, including Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a Christian martyr from the 4th century, who became one of the most venerated saints in Christianity.
Her legend, which includes her eloquent defense of her faith against pagan philosophers, contributed to the name's enduring popularity in Christian contexts. The name was also prominent among royalty, with several queens and princesses named Catherine throughout European history, including Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII of England, and Catherine the Great of Russia, who ruled in the 18th century.
Culturally, the name Cate and its variants have been associated with qualities such as strength and resilience, often reflecting the virtues of the historical figures who bore the name. The name has been celebrated in literature and art, further solidifying its place in cultural memory.
The diminutive form "Cate" has emerged as a popular variant, often used affectionately, and retains the same associations of purity and strength. Overall, the name's rich etymological roots and historical significance contribute to its lasting resonance in various cultures.
Famous people named Cate
In this section, you will find notable people named Cate. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Cate who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Cate who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Cate Blanchett is an actress best known for Blue Jasmine, Carol, and The Aviator.
Cate Shortland is a director best known for Berlin Syndrome, Lore, and Black Widow.
Fictional characters named Cate
The following list of fictional characters named Cate is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Cate Archer is a fictional character from the video game series No One Lives Forever. She is a secret agent working for a covert organization during the Cold War, known for her wit and resourcefulness.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Cate, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Cate. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Cate was first seen in the United States in 1980.
Cate has ranked as high as #1248 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Cate has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Cate is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Cate was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Cate (2023)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Cate.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 26 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2021 | 23 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2019 | 30 |
| 2018 | 47 |
| 2017 | 39 |
| 2016 | 38 |
| 2015 | 59 |
| 2014 | 61 |
| 2013 | 61 |
| 2012 | 88 |
| 2011 | 95 |
| 2010 | 80 |
| 2009 | 115 |
| 2008 | 152 |
| 2007 | 118 |
| 2006 | 87 |
| 2005 | 118 |
| 2004 | 111 |
| 2003 | 82 |
| 2002 | 64 |
| 2001 | 41 |
| 2000 | 44 |
| 1999 | 38 |
| 1998 | 10 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1995 | 8 |
| 1994 | 6 |
| 1993 | 5 |
| 1992 | 10 |
| 1991 | 5 |
| 1989 | 5 |
| 1988 | 9 |
| 1987 | 9 |
| 1986 | 8 |
| 1985 | 8 |
| 1982 | 8 |
| 1980 | 5 |