Kate in Chinese
Kate in Chinese is 凯特 (Kǎi Tè).
- Origin
- Greek
- Meaning
- pure
Etymologically, Kate is Greek and is commonly glossed as "pure". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 2000s. Names sharing the same root meaning include Katherine, Katie, Kaitlyn, Kathryn.
3 ways to write Kate
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
凯特
Kǎi Tè
The standard transliteration of Kate: 凯 (kǎi, "triumph, victory song"), 特 (tè, "special, particular"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
To fit Mandarin syllable rules, the sounds are broken into 2 characters: 凯 kǎi + 特 tè. The tone contour is 3-4 (dipping, falling).
Character breakdown
18 strokes total (simplified)- 凯
kǎi
Tone 3 · 8 strokes (simplified)
triumph, victory song
- 特
tè
Tone 4 · 10 strokes (simplified)
special, particular
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
清慧
Qīng Huì
Inspired by "pure": 清 (qīng, "clear, pure") + 慧 (huì, "wise, intelligent"), expressing purity and clarity.
Why these characters?
Because Kate is linked to "pure", the name leads with 清 (clear, pure); 慧 (wise, intelligent) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
26 strokes total (simplified)- 清
qīng
Tone 1 · 11 strokes (simplified)
clear, pure
- 慧
huì
Tone 4 · 15 strokes (simplified)
wise, intelligent
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
凯澄
Kǎi Chéng
凯 (kǎi, "triumph, victory song") + 澄 (chéng, "clear, limpid"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 凯 (kǎi), the same opening character as the transliteration 凯特, for the "kat" sound, and replaces the rest with 澄 ("clear, limpid") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
23 strokes total (simplified)- 凯
kǎi
Tone 3 · 8 strokes (simplified)
triumph, victory song
- 澄
chéng
Tone 2 · 15 strokes (simplified)
clear, limpid
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 79,820 girls named Kate since 1880, with the high point in 2007 (2,550 births) and the busiest decade being the 2000s. Between 1990 and 2017 it held roughly steady, from #270 to #275 among girls.
- Peak year
- 2007
- Peak decade
- 2000s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 79,820
More About Kate in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Kate offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Kate, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include Katherine in Chinese, Katie in Chinese, Kaitlyn in Chinese, Kathryn in Chinese, Katelyn in Chinese, Catherine in Chinese, Caitlin in Chinese, Karen in Chinese, Kathleen in Chinese, Katrina in Chinese, Kaitlin in Chinese, and Caitlyn in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Katherine in Chinese, Katie in Chinese, and Kaitlyn in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Kathryn in Chinese, Katelyn in Chinese, Catherine in Chinese, Caitlin in Chinese, and Karen in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Kate, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Kate to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kate in Chinese characters?
凯特 (Kǎi Tè), or 凱特 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 凯特 have?
18 strokes in simplified form and 22 in traditional; per character: 凯 8, 特 10.
Is Kate written differently in traditional Chinese?
Yes: 凯特 becomes 凱特; the changed characters are 凯→凱. Use traditional for Taiwan or Hong Kong audiences.
Related names and spelling variants
Caitlin
凯特琳
Irish/Greek
Caitlyn
凯特琳
Irish/Greek
Cassidy
卡西迪
Irish
Catherine
凯瑟琳
Greek
Daniela
丹妮拉
Hebrew
Heidi
海蒂
Germanic
Kaitlin
凯特琳
Irish/Greek
Kaitlyn
凯特琳
Irish/Greek
Karen
凯伦
Danish/Greek
Karina
卡丽娜
Latin/Scandinavian
Katelyn
凯特琳
Irish/Greek
Katherine
凯瑟琳
Greek
Kathleen
凯思琳
Irish/Greek
Kathryn
凯瑟琳
Greek
Katie
凯蒂
Greek
Katrina
卡特里娜
Greek
Mckenzie
麦肯齐
Scottish
Nora
诺拉
Irish/Latin
Rebekah
丽贝卡
Hebrew
Scarlett
斯嘉丽
English