Kit
Kit is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Bearer of Christ; pure.
Origin and history
Kit originated as a traditional English diminutive for Christopher or Katherine, tracing back to the Greek name Christophoros meaning 'bearer of Christ'. Historically rare as a standalone male name in the United States, it has experienced a notable revival in recent years. It offers a vintage, punchy alternative to longer classic names.
Popularity in the United States
3,946 babies in the United States have been named Kit since 1880. It ranks #2021 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1107.
States where it is most popular
- CA (36.2 %)
- TX (10.8 %)
- UT (6.2 %)
- IL (4.2 %)
- OH (4.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 10 |
| 1890-1900 | 13 |
| 1900-1910 | 5 |
| 1910-1920 | 43 |
| 1920-1930 | 79 |
| 1930-1940 | 62 |
| 1940-1950 | 416 |
| 1950-1960 | 726 |
| 1960-1970 | 370 |
| 1970-1980 | 318 |
| 1980-1990 | 260 |
| 1990-2000 | 158 |
| 2000-2010 | 117 |
| 2010-2019 | 426 |
| 2020-2029 | 943 |
Famous people named Kit
- Kit Harington: Actor
- Kit Carson: Frontiersman, Explorer
- Kit Connor: Actor
Fun facts
- American frontiersman Kit Carson made the name famous in 19th-century American history.
- While historically used as a nickname for both Christopher and Katherine, Kit is increasingly given as an independent full name.