How Many People Are Named Kathryn?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Kathryn

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 4,096 living people in the United States currently have the first name Kathryn. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 4,552 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #559 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~4,096CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)4,552Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#559U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year1999 (104 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~4,096
Historical Births (SSA)
4,552
All-Time Rank
#559
Historical Peak
1999

Key Insights for Kathryn

Estimated Living Bearers
~4,096 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#559
Distinctive First Name
Historical Peak Year
1999
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Female
10.1% Male · 89.9% Female
Recent 10-Year Trajectory
Softening (-24%)
2015–2024 SSA birth registration trend
Largest Estimated Population
California
~512 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Kathryn

Living Population Model
~4,096

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
4,552

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
3,974

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
26.9 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
1999

Highest annual total: 104 registrations in 1999.

Recent 10-Year Trend
declining (-24%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Between 2015 and 2024, Kathryn has experienced a 24% softening in annual newborn registrations from preceding decades.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Kathryn (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 1999 (~104 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
2010891178
2011861076
2012831073
2013811071
201478969
201574965
201671962
201768860
201865857
201961754
202058751
202155748
202251645
202348642
202445540

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
5/100
1950s
8/100
1960s
16/100
1970s
37/100
1980s
71/100
1990s
98/100
2000s
98/100
2010s
76/100
2020s
26/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historically in the U.S., Kathryn has been predominantly feminine (89.9% female vs 10.1% male).

Male: 10.1% (~461 births)Female: 89.9% (~4,091 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Kathryn

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Kathryn in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Kathryn appeared 3,974 times, ranking #294 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
3,974 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#294
Census Sex Breakdown
8% M · 92% F

Where Is the Name Kathryn Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~512 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~51212.5%
Texas (TX)~3779.2%
Florida (FL)~2796.8%
New York (NY)~2506.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~1644%
Illinois (IL)~1603.9%
Ohio (OH)~1473.6%
Georgia (GA)~1353.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 4,096 people named Kathryn are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 26.9 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Kathryn: 26.9 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

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Frequently Asked Questions About Kathryn

How many people in the U.S. are named Kathryn?

Approximately 4,096 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Kathryn. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 4,552 birth applications for Kathryn between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Kathryn?

Kathryn ranks #559 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This positions Kathryn as a distinctive name with established historical recognition.

When was the name Kathryn most popular in America?

The name Kathryn reached its peak historical popularity in 1999, when 104 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Kathryn?

Kathryn has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Kathryn?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historically in the U.S., Kathryn has been predominantly feminine (89.9% female vs 10.1% male).

Where is the name Kathryn most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Kathryn resides in California, with approximately 512 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Kathryn in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Kathryn appeared 3,974 times in census returns, ranking #294 in official 2020 returns.

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