Kisty
A feminine name derived from the surname Christie, originally a Scottish place name.
Name Census estimates that about 23 living Americans carry the first name Kisty. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Kisty today is around 48 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Kisty births was 1977 (7 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Kisty. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Kisty. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
23
~ 1 in 14,902,363 Americans
Peak year
1977
7 babies that year
Average age
48
years old
1981 SSA rank
#9,709
Tracked since 1972
Popularity
Kisty: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Kisty from the 1970s through to the 1980s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1970s, with 19 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1970s peak, Kisty remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kisty by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Kisty during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Kisty
The name Kisty is an uncommon given name with an intriguing history. Its roots can be traced back to the ancient Celtic cultures of Western Europe, particularly in regions like modern-day Ireland and Scotland. The name is believed to have originated from the Old Irish word "ciste," which means "chest" or "strongbox." This connection suggests that the name may have been bestowed upon individuals who were considered trustworthy guardians or protectors.
Interestingly, some historical records indicate that the name Kisty was mentioned in early Irish folklore and legends. One notable example is the tale of Kisty O'Brien, a legendary warrior from the 6th century who was renowned for his bravery and skill in battle. While the historical accuracy of this account is debatable, it demonstrates the name's deep roots in the cultural traditions of the region.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kisty can be found in the annals of the Irish Annals of Ulster, a chronicle that dates back to the 15th century. In these records, a woman named Kisty Ni Mhaire is mentioned as having lived in the late 12th century. Unfortunately, little is known about her life or the significance of her name.
Throughout history, the name Kisty has been borne by a handful of notable individuals. One such person was Kisty Sutherland (1564-1629), a Scottish noblewoman who played a significant role in the political and cultural affairs of her time. She was known for her literary talents and her patronage of the arts.
Another prominent figure was Kisty MacKenzie (1710-1788), a Scottish clan chief who was renowned for her leadership and diplomacy. She played a crucial role in mediating disputes between rival clans and helped maintain peace in the Highlands during a period of turmoil.
In the realm of literature, Kisty O'Connor (1832-1899) was an Irish novelist and playwright whose works explored themes of love, family, and Irish identity. Her novels, such as "The Rose of Killarney" and "The Wild Irish Girl," were widely read and celebrated in her time.
While the name Kisty may be uncommon in modern times, its rich history and cultural significance in Celtic traditions have ensured its enduring legacy. From legendary warriors to influential noblewomen and celebrated authors, the name has been carried by individuals who have left an indelible mark on the annals of history.
People
Kisty + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Kisty as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with K
Other first names starting with K with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Kisty: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Kisty?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 23 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Kisty going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 14,902,363 US residents.
Is Kisty a common name?
We classify Kisty as "Very Rare". It ranks above 42.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 25 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Kisty most popular?
The single biggest year for Kisty was 1977, when 7 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Kisty is about 48 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Kisty in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Kisty a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Kisty in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Kisty still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Kisty in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Kisty can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people share the name Kisty?
For a quick modern estimate, our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers that in one glance, with the living-bearer count front and centre.