Kathryn
Peaked at #45 nationally in 1951, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Kathryn has been recorded >99% of the time for girls and <1% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Kathryn is a spelling variant of Katherine, from the Greek "Aikaterine"; the name's origin is debated, but it was later associated with the Greek "katharos," meaning "pure."
Notable people & culture
Kathryn peaked at #45 in 1951; filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow, the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director, is a notable modern bearer.
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Kathryn — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#45
in 1951
Current rank
#717
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Kathryn reached its peak popularity for girls in 1951, ranking #45 nationally with 8,460 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #293 (2014) to #717 (2024) — a 59% drop.
As of 2024, Kathryn ranks #717 nationally for girls, with 391 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #717 | 391 |
| 2023 | #677 | 432 |
| 2022 | #655 | 452 |
| 2021 | #589 | 510 |
| 2020 | #525 | 574 |
| 2019 | #486 | 650 |
| 2018 | #453 | 698 |
| 2017 | #427 | 748 |
Kathryn — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#944
in 1898
Last ranked
#11732
in 2009
Years tracked
87
1898–2009
Trend
Falling
Kathryn was already at its most popular for boys in 1898 (the earliest year in this data, ranked #944), with 7 babies given the name that year.
Kathryn hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for boys since 2009, when it stood at #11732.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | #11,732 | 6 |
| 2007 | #13,413 | 5 |
| 2006 | #13,042 | 5 |
| 2005 | #10,802 | 6 |
| 2004 | #4,691 | 18 |
| 2002 | #10,059 | 6 |
| 2001 | #9,927 | 6 |
| 1997 | #6,949 | 8 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was Kathryn most popular?
Kathryn was most popular in 1951, when it ranked #45 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Kathryn becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Kathryn?
At least 456,128 babies have been recorded with the name Kathryn in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Kathryn? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.