Kittie is an uncommon and unique female given name of English origin. Its meaning and history are not well-documented compared to more popular names, but it is believed to have originated as a diminutive or pet form of Katherine.
The name Katherine is derived from the Greek name 'Aikaterine', which means "pure" or "clear". It was brought to England by the Normans in the Middle Ages and has been widely used since then. As a diminutive, Kittie may have been used as an affectionate nickname for Katherine or other similar-sounding names.
In literature, one notable character named Kittie is Kitty Foyle from Christopher Morley's 1939 novel "Kitty Foyle". The story follows the life of a young woman named Katharine "Kitty" Foyle who works as a shopgirl and eventually marries a wealthy man. This character may have contributed to the popularity of the name Kittie during that time period.
Overall, while the origins and history of the name Kittie are not extensively documented, it is believed to be a unique and affectionate diminutive form of Katherine or other similar-sounding names. Its meaning reflects purity and clarity, making it a strong choice for parents looking for an uncommon but meaningful name for their daughter.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Kittie has seen a significant decrease in popularity over the past century in the United States.
The peak years for the name Kittie were around the late 1800s to early 1900s, with the highest number of births recorded being 63 in 1889. However, this popularity was short-lived as the number of births steadily declined throughout the first half of the 20th century.
From the 1950s onwards, the name Kittie became even rarer, with fewer than 20 births recorded each year. The lowest point was reached in 1972, with only 6 births recorded that year.
Despite its decline in popularity, it's worth noting that there have been a total of 2467 births named Kittie in the United States since 1880. This indicates that while the name may not be commonly used today, it has a long history and continues to be chosen by some parents.
It is interesting to observe how names can fluctuate in popularity over time, and these statistics provide insight into the changing trends of the name Kittie over the past 130 years.