The name Kate is a diminutive form of the name Katherine, which is derived from the ancient Greek name Aikaterine. This name is believed to have originated from the Greek words "katharos" meaning "pure" and "agan" meaning "altogether" or "completely". The name Katherine was introduced to Western Europe through the cult of St. Catherine of Alexandria, a 4th-century Christian martyr.

Kate is thought to have first emerged as a shortened form of Katherine in medieval England, where it was a popular name among the nobility. One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Kate was in the 12th century, when it referred to a daughter of King Henry II of England.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Kate. In the 14th century, Kate Plantagenet, the daughter of King Edward III of England, was a prominent figure. In the 16th century, Kate Howard, a cousin of Anne Boleyn, was briefly married to King Henry VIII of England.

The name Kate gained further popularity in the 17th century, with Kate Garaway, a renowned English herbalist, and Kate Batts, one of the first English settlers in Virginia, both bearing the name. In the 18th century, Kate Worley, an English writer and feminist, was a notable figure.

In the 19th century, Kate Field, an American writer, journalist, and actress, made significant contributions to the literary and theatrical worlds. She was born in 1838 and died in 1896. Kate Sheppard, a prominent New Zealand suffragist, was another influential figure of this time, born in 1847 and died in 1934.

As the name Kate continued to be used throughout the centuries, it became a popular choice in various cultures and regions, transcending its English roots. Some other notable individuals with the name Kate include Kate Chopin, an American author born in 1850 and died in 1904, and Kate Winslet, the acclaimed English actress born in 1975.