The name Kit has been used for both boys and girls throughout history. Kit is traditionally a nickname for Christopher for boys and Katherine for girls, but it has also been used as a given name on its own. So is Kit strictly a boy’s name or a girl’s name? Or can it be used for both genders?
History and Meaning of the Name Kit
The name Kit originated as a medieval diminutive for Christopher, which comes from the Greek name Χριστόφορος (Christophoros) meaning “bearing Christ.” Kit was a common nickname for Christopher in England in the Middle Ages. Famous literary examples include Kit Marlowe and Kit Smart.
Kit has also been historically used as a nickname for Katherine. Katherine comes from the Greek name Αικατερίνη (Aikaterine) which shares a root with the word αικία (aikia) meaning “torture.” In England, Katherine was among the most popular female names during the Middle Ages due to the revered early Christian martyr Saint Catherine of Alexandria. Kitty emerged as a pet form of Katherine in the 17th century.
So while Kit originated as a masculine nickname, it also has a long history of usage as a feminine nickname for Katherine. This sets the stage for Kit being used for both boys and girls.
Kit as a Masculine Name
While less common than its use as a nickname, Kit has been adopted as a given name for boys in the English speaking world.
Some examples of males named Kit include:
– Kit Carson (1809-1868), an American frontiersman and Indian fighter
– Kit Lambert (1944-1981), British record producer and manager for The Who
– Kit Harington (b. 1986), British actor famous for Game of Thrones
The name Kit has a boyish, energetic feel. It’s short, snappy and casual. The single-syllable sound and hard “k” gives it a strong, masculine image. So while it originated as a nickname, Kit works well as a first name for boys seeking something fun and friendly.
Popularity of Kit for Boys
Kit has never been a hugely popular name for boys in the United States. Here are some key stats on the popularity of Kit for male births:
| Year | Babies Named Kit | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 309 | #1611 |
| 2018 | 270 | #1689 |
| 2017 | 182 | #2115 |
| 2016 | 270 | #1692 |
| 2015 | 159 | #2264 |
As this data shows, Kit has ranked outside the top 1000 boy’s names over the past decade, used sparingly for under 300 boys per year. So while Kit works well as a masculine name and continues to be used, it remains an uncommon choice.
Kit as a Feminine Name
While Kit originated as a masculine nickname, it has also been adopted as a given name for girls. Some examples of females named Kit include:
– Kit Harington (b. 1986), British actor famous for Game of Thrones
– Kit Hoover (b. 1970), American TV personality
– Kit Malthouse (b. 1966), British politician
For girls, Kit has a spunky, spirited image. The short single-syllable sound gives it a youthful, energetic edge. Kit can work well when parents want a casual, informal name for their daughter. It has a unisex vibe while still feeling distinctly feminine.
Popularity of Kit for Girls
Kit has had some popularity spikes as a girl’s name at times over the past century in the United States. Here are some key stats:
| Year | Babies Named Kit | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 84 | #2603 |
| 2009 | 146 | #1444 |
| 1999 | 167 | #1265 |
| 1989 | 246 | #882 |
| 1979 | 427 | #491 |
| 1969 | 785 | #246 |
Kit peaked in usage for girls in 1969, ranking as a top 300 name during the 1960s. It declined steadily after that, falling back below the top 1000 in recent years. While not extremely common, it continues to have some usage as a first name for girls.
Is Kit More Popular for Boys or Girls?
Historically, Kit has been slightly more popular as a name for boys than girls. In recent decades it has declined in usage for both genders, but remains marginally more common for males.
Here is the breakdown of babies named Kit by gender since 1960:
| Years | Male Kits | Female Kits |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 1,131 | 330 |
| 2000s | 1,015 | 596 |
| 1990s | 1,596 | 1,012 |
| 1980s | 3,156 | 2,437 |
| 1970s | 11,267 | 9,423 |
| 1960s | 19,307 | 16,396 |
In the 1960s and 70s, Kit was well used for both genders with a slight edge for boys. By the 1980s and after, the masculine use of Kit became more prominent. But the name has been fluid in its gender association throughout modern times.
Regional Variations in Usage
There are some notable regional differences in how popular Kit is a first name within the United States:
States where Kit is most popular for boys:
- Utah
- Idaho
- Oregon
- Montana
- Wyoming
States where Kit is most popular for girls:
- Vermont
- Oregon
- Maine
- Washington
- Colorado
So while uncommon overall, Kit does see more regular usage in the Western half of the US, especially in the Mountain West and Pacific Northwest regions.
Kit is also moderately popular in England and Wales. It ranked #357 for boys and #677 for girls in England and Wales in 2019.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Kit originated as a nickname for boys, it has been used as a given name for both genders over the past century in the English-speaking world. Kit has traditionally seen slightly higher usage for males, but remains fluid as a name that can work for boys or girls. Regional naming trends do favor Kit more in the Western half of the US. But overall Kit remains an uncommon choice that embodies a unisex, energetic spirit.