How Many People Are Named Kathryn?
Complete statistics for the name Kathryn: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Kathryn is a classic feminine name of Greek origin, meaning pure or unsullied, and it's carried by around 317,371 living Americans today. That works out to about 1 in 1,040 Americans, making it uncommon but far from rare. The striking detail is just how much it skews older, with more than half of all living Kathryns being over 60.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life path number 7 is traditionally linked to deep thinking, intuition, and a search for inner truth. People associated with 7 are seen as introspective and analytical, often drawn to wisdom over the spotlight.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 65All 455,924 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1952Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Kathryn Through the Generations
Kathryn had its golden era squarely in the mid-20th century, peaking in 1952 with 8,517 births in a single year. With 455,924 all-time US births but only 317,371 living today, a meaningful chunk of the name's history has already passed, which makes sense given its average age of 65. The age breakdown tells that story clearly: 255,580 of living Kathryns are over 60, compared to just 50,083 under 30. That's a lopsided picture. It spent 32 years in the US top 10, so it was genuinely dominant for a generation, not just a passing trend. But the decline is real and steady now. Young parents aren't reaching for Kathryn the way their grandparents did, and the name is quietly becoming a marker of the Baby Boomer era more than anything else.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Kathryn's Greek roots
📄 About the Name Kathryn
How Many People Have the Name Kathryn?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 317,371 people in the United States currently share the name Kathryn. That works out to roughly 1 in every 1,040 Americans, placing it in the Uncommon category.
Is Kathryn a Common or Rare Name?
Kathryn is classified as Uncommon. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Kathryn Mean?
Kathryn means "pure, unsullied" and comes from Greek origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 7.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Kathryn in SSA data, approximately 0% are male and 100% are female.
When Was Kathryn Most Popular?
The name Kathryn reached peak popularity in 1952, with 8,517 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Kathryn?
Approximately 317,371 people named Kathryn live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 455,924. That works out to roughly 1 in 1,040 Americans.
Is Kathryn a rare name?
Kathryn is classified as Uncommon in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 1,040 Americans has this name.
What does the name Kathryn mean?
Kathryn means "pure, unsullied" and comes from Greek origins.
Is Kathryn more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 0% of people named Kathryn are male and 100% are female.
When was Kathryn most popular?
Kathryn peaked in 1952 with 8,517 births that year. Current trend: Declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.