Kitty is a unique and charming name with an interesting history and origin. It is ultimately derived from the Middle English word 'kit', which means 'cat'. This name was used to refer to female cats or kittens during the medieval period.
The name Kitty began to be used as a given name for human girls in the 16th century. It was often used as a diminutive form of names like Catherine, Katherine, or even Kathleen. As such, it has long been associated with these more traditional names and has been considered a nickname or pet form.
Kitty is not particularly common today but it still retains its vintage charm. It is sometimes used as a middle name to honor someone named Catherine or Katherine, or simply because the parents are fans of the unique sound and meaning of Kitty.
In popular culture, there have been several notable figures with the name Kitty. For example, Kitty O'Neil was an American actress who was known for her role in the television show "The Bionic Woman". Additionally, Kitty Wilson was a British tennis player who won several tournaments throughout her career.
Overall, Kitty is a rare and charming name with a unique history and origin. It has been used as both a given name and a diminutive form of names like Catherine or Katherine for centuries. Today, it remains a vintage yet stylish choice for parents looking for something different for their daughter.
The given statistics provide an interesting overview of the number of babies named Kitty born each year in the United States from 1880 to 2020.
Over this period of 141 years, there were a total of 11,651 births with the name Kitty. The peak years for the popularity of this name occurred between 1945 and 1958, with the highest number of births being recorded in 1958 with 357 babies named Kitty.
However, it is important to note that while the use of the name Kitty was quite popular during these peak years, it has declined significantly since then. In fact, from 2016 onwards, there were fewer than 10 births each year with this name.
This decrease in popularity can be attributed to various factors such as changing trends and preferences in naming babies over time. Nonetheless, the statistics show that despite its decline, the name Kitty has had a notable presence in American baby names throughout history.