Kitt Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: kit //kɪt//
Origin: English; diminutive of Katherine
Meaning: pure; short form of Katherine
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kitt has its roots in the Old French name "Kitten," which is a diminutive form of "Katherine." The name Katherine itself derives from the Greek "Aikaterine," which is believed to be related to the Greek word "katharos," meaning "pure." This etymological journey continued as the name was adopted into Latin as "Catarina" and later into Old French, where it evolved into various forms, including "Kitt." The transition into English occurred during the medieval period, particularly after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when many Old French names were introduced into the English language. Historically, the name Katherine has been borne by numerous notable figures, including Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a Christian martyr from the 4th century, whose feast day is celebrated on November 25.
The name gained further prominence through the influence of royal figures, such as Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of King Henry VIII of England in the 16th century. The widespread use of the name was also bolstered by its appearance in major literary works, including Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Legend of Good Women" in the 14th century, which contributed to its enduring legacy.
Culturally, the name Kitt, as a derivative of Katherine, carries associations of purity and virtue, reflecting the qualities attributed to its etymological ancestor. The name has been embraced in various forms across different cultures, often symbolizing strength and resilience.
Additionally, diminutive forms like "Kit" have been used historically, further embedding the name within the fabric of English naming traditions. Overall, Kitt represents a blend of linguistic evolution and cultural significance, tracing a rich historical lineage that continues to resonate through its connections to notable figures and enduring themes.
Famous people named Kitt
In this section, you will find notable people named Kitt. 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 Kitt who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Kitt 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.
Kitt Shapiro is a businesswoman and author best known for being the daughter of Eartha Kitt.
Fictional characters named Kitt
The following list of fictional characters named Kitt 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.
Kitt is a fictional character from the TV series Knight Rider. He is an advanced artificial intelligence that assists Michael Knight in fighting crime.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kitt, 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 Kitt. 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 Kitt was first seen in the United States in 1945.
Kitt has ranked as high as #1355 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in California.
In the past 5 years the name Kitt has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kitt 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 Kitt was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Kitt (1961)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 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 Kitt.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2022 | 17 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1979 | 5 |
| 1978 | 7 |
| 1971 | 5 |
| 1969 | 8 |
| 1968 | 6 |
| 1967 | 6 |
| 1966 | 13 |
| 1965 | 7 |
| 1964 | 7 |
| 1963 | 6 |
| 1962 | 7 |
| 1961 | 11 |
| 1960 | 11 |
| 1959 | 10 |
| 1958 | 6 |
| 1957 | 5 |
| 1956 | 7 |
| 1955 | 9 |
| 1954 | 8 |
| 1945 | 5 |