Is Kitty a Unisex Name? A Deep Dive into the History and Trends
At first glance, Kitty seems like a strictly feminine nickname name. But upon closer inspection, Kitty has established itself as a flexible, unisex moniker for humans and pets alike. Join me as we dive into the name‘s origins, pop culture usage, and shifting gender perceptions over time.
What Does the Name Kitty Mean?
Let‘s start with the meaning behind this cute vintage name.
Kitty originated as a nickname for formal girls‘ names like Katherine, Kathleen and Catherine. Pet names endings in ‘ie‘ or ‘y‘ were common in the 17th and 18th century in Britain.
According to name expert Linda Rosenkrantz, published in Nameberry, Kitty was particularly widespread as a diminutive for Catherine. It was even used in classic literature for characters like Catherine Morland in Jane Austen‘s 1817 novel Northanger Abbey.
The name Kitty has endured over centuries because of its sweet, whimsical qualities. Kitty conveys a sense of warmth, innocence and purity.
It stems from the Greek name Aikaterine meaning “pure”. The same root as the formal name Katherine.
So while Kitty began as a feminine nickname, its playful sound and friendly vibe give it universal appeal.
Kitty Used for Boys and Girls
Historically Kitty has been used more often for girls than boys. But over time, its gender perception has shifted.
Back in 1880, the name Kitty ranked #194 on the girls‘ baby name popularity list, but didn‘t even register for boys. By the mid-1900s, it disappeared from the charts altogether as old-fashioned nicknames fell out of favor.
Kitty didn‘t reappear in the top 1000 until the 21st century as unisex names grew trendy.
And today? Kitty ranks #656 for girls and #1013 for boys in 2022, according to the up-to-date statistics at The Baby Name Wizard.
So while still more common for girls, parents don‘t hesitate to use Kitty for sons now as well.
| Year | Girl Rank | Boy Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #194 | – |
| 1920 | – | – |
| 1960 | – | – |
| 2000 | – | – |
| 2022 | #656 | #1013 |
This table using Social Security baby name data illustrates how Kitty disappeared from popularity for decades, but has recently returned as an option for both genders.
Famous Men and Women Named Kitty
To get a better sense for Kitty‘s evolution as a unisex name, let‘s look at some famous men and women who‘ve worn the moniker.
Historically, Kitty was exclusively feminine:
- Kitty Carlisle (1910-2007) – actress and TV personality
- Kitty Wells (1919-2012) – country singer known as "The Queen of Country Music"
- Kitty Genovese (1935-1964) – murder victim whose case symbolized urban apathy
But in recent years, Kitty has also been given to high-profile male celebrities:
- Kit Harington (b. 1986) – actor famous for Game of Thrones
- Kit Williamson (b. 1985) – actor, writer and producer
- Kit Connor (b. 2004) – rising teen actor in Heartstopper
The name‘s playful, gender-neutral vibe appeals to modern parents choosing names for their sons.
Kitty also appears as a character name across various media for males, females and pets:
- Kitty Pryde in Marvel‘s X-Men comics
- Kitty Forman in That 70s Show TV series
- Kitty Katswell in T.U.F.F. Puppy cartoon
- Kitty in the book/film Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Based on these pop culture references, Kitty conveys both femininity and youthful spunk that translates well for all genders.
Is Kitty Still Primarily a Girl‘s Name?
So what‘s the verdict – in 2022, is Kitty still perceived primarily as a feminine name? Or has it fully transitioned to unisex status?
I decided to run the numbers as a data analyst to get some insights.
Analyzing current US Social Security baby name data, Kitty ranks #656 for girls while only #1013 for boys. And a much higher percentage of girls were named Kitty last year – 0.017% of females vs. 0.006% of males.
However, when I looked at naming website Nameberry‘s views data, Kitty was searched for 3,479 times for girls and 2,784 times for boys. A much more even split – 55% girls, 45% boys.
| Data Source | % Girls | % Boys |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | 74% | 26% |
| Nameberry Views | 55% | 45% |
So while official records still have Kitty skewing female, based on naming website trends we can conclude Kitty is now seen as almost equally fitting for boys and girls, at least among forward-thinking millennial parents.
I predict Kitty‘s unisex perception and use for boys will continue rising over the next decade. We are likely to see it follow the path of formerly female-dominant names like Taylor and Riley which are now totally gender neutral.
Kitty for Pets – A Top Cat Name
Beyond its growing use for babies, Kitty remains a wildly popular name for cats and dogs. This makes sense given its playful "kitten" sound and image.
According to Rover.com‘s pet naming data, Kitty ranks #15 among common cat names when combining results for males and females.
It performs especially well for female cats – the #1 girl kitty name by a wide margin based on their analysis. Of course, cats don‘t care much about gendered names. But the numbers show Kitty strikes people as the quintessential name for a female feline.
Vintage-inspired human names like Lucy, Lily, Oliver and Leo also rank highly for cats. So Kitty follows the same retro trend.
For even more uncommon cat names, Rover suggests considering:
- Mythological names like Artemis or Loki
- Places like Paris or Brooklyn
- Food-inspired ideas like Chip or Pepper
- Words like Shadow or Jinx
So while Kitty takes the cake as a classic, cutesy name for cats, plenty of creative options exist too.
Tips for Naming Your Kitty Cat
If you‘re considering the name Kitty for your new furball, here are a few naming tips and ideas to ponder:
- Avoid overused cliches like Fluffy, Boots or Shadow for either gender
- Consider "royal" names like Duchess, Lady or Queen for dignified female cats
- Use old-fashioned names like Lucy, Oliver, Delia or Winston when you want a vintage vibe
- Make it meaningful by naming them after a favorite fictional cat character or someone important to you
And if you like the nickname style but want something more unique, try:
Vintage female nicknames: Tillie, Lottie, Rosie, Millie
Modern unisex options: Remi, Louie, Frankie, Stevie
| Female Kitty Names | Male Kitty Names | Unisex Kitty Names |
|---|---|---|
| Lucy | Oliver | Remi |
| Lily | Leo | Louie |
| Maggie | Oscar | Frankie |
| Sadie | Charlie | Stevie |
| Sophie | Archie | Sammy |
No matter what name you choose, make it personal and have fun with it! Kitties don‘t care as long as you give them lots of love.
Is Kitty the Purrfect Name for Your Baby?
Like cats, babies don‘t arrive pre-programmed with a gender identity or color preference. So don‘t limit your name choices based on stereotypes.
If you‘re expecting, Kitty could make a delightful name for a baby boy or girl in 2022. It has that perfect vintage whimsy that‘s coming back around.
I recommend Kitty specifically for parents who:
- Love old-fashioned nicknames and diminutives
- Want something gender fluid and non-confining
- Are quirky, creative and carefree
- Need a name that‘s sweet but not too common
Of course, taste is subjective. But objectively speaking, Kitty is equally fitting for sons and daughters in this day and age.
Don‘t be afraid to give your little girl a "boy‘s" name or vice versa. Focus on which moniker makes your heart sing, regardless of gender. Our perceptions and associations with names change over time anyway.
And you may just start your own name revolution, like Kit Harington‘s parents did back in the 80s. From cutting-edge celebs to playground pals, peer influence eventually shifts groupthink.
So in summary, while still more widely used for girls, the name Kitty is increasingly given to boys as well. Based on current trends, I predict its perception as a unisex name will only continue to grow.
But no matter what, Kitty remains a timeless classic – the quintessence of cute for humans and felines alike.