Cate
English (Rare) · Girl · 1 syllable
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Cate
Cate is a diminutive form of Catherine, derived from the Greek name Aikaterina, meaning "pure" from the root "katharos." The name has been used across English-speaking cultures and Western Christian traditions, with notable historical figures including Saint Catherine of Siena and various European royalty bearing the full name Catherine.
Cross-referenced with Behind the Name and Wikidata/Wikipedia. AI-assisted, community-reviewable. Suggest an improvement.
Etymology
Cate is a diminutive form of Catherine, derived from the Greek name Aikaterina, meaning "pure" from the root "katharos." The name has been used across English-speaking cultures and Western Christian traditions, with notable historical figures including Saint Catherine of Siena and various European royalty bearing the full name Catherine.
Cate currently ranks #8,978 in the United States as a girl's name. It reached its peak popularity around 2008.
Variants & nicknames
Contribute to this name
Help improve this page with a meaning, origin, or correction—and get credited as a contributor.
Share your knowledge about this name—meaning, origin, pronunciation, or correction. Your contribution is reviewed and credited with your name.
Login to contributeWe use Google & Facebook login — no password needed.
Sibling name ideas
English (Rare) names that sit beautifully beside CateSimilar names you might like
Names starting with CMore names starting with C
- Caleigh
- Cailyn
- Cailin
- Cally
- Cadence
- Caila
- Caileigh
- Calleigh
- Calliope
- Caitie
- Calla
- Caitriona
- Cadan
- Caius
- Cal
- Calaeb
- Caelum
- Caidin
🧬 See Cate's popularity the year you were born →
🔢 Get Cate's free numerology report card →
💫 Is Cate your name? Get your free “My name means…” card →
👶 Have a Cate already? Find sibling names that fit →
💬 Does Cate go with your surname? Check the rhythm, rhyme and initials →
Names that sound like Cate
Phonetic match, not just spelling"The name Cato derives from the Latin family name Cato, likely from the root "catus" meaning "sharp" or "keen," reflecting…"
"The given name 'Cody' is derived from the Old English word 'cōd', meaning 'help' or 'protection', and is related to…"
"The name 'Catia' is a variant of 'Cátia', a Portuguese and Italian diminutive of 'Catherine', which derives from the Greek…"
"The given name 'Cade' is of Old English origin, meaning "round" or "barrel," derived from the word *cād* referring to…"
"The name 'Cait' is a diminutive of 'Catherine,' derived from the Greek *katharos* meaning "pure." It is primarily used in…"
"The name Chad derives from the Old English name Chadda or the Anglo-Saxon saint Chad (Ceadda), meaning "defender" or "warrior,"…"
"'Chhotu' is a Hindi diminutive derived from the root word "chhota" (छोटा), meaning "small" or "little," commonly used as a…"
"The given name 'Cassidy' means "curly-haired" or "descendant of Caiside," derived from the Irish Gaelic surname *Ó Caiside*."
"'Chotu' is a Hindi diminutive derived from "chhota," meaning "small" or "little," commonly used as a nickname or affectionate term…"
"The given name 'Codi' is derived from the Latin word 'codex,' meaning 'book,' and is likely a shortened form of…"
"I cannot provide reliable etymological information for the given name 'Coist' as it does not appear in standard reference works…"
"Caiti is an Irish diminutive form of Caitríona, which derives from the Latin name Catherina, meaning "pure" or "clear." The…"