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Home β€Ί Baby Names Directory β€Ί Kato

Kato

β™‚ Boy

Pronounced KAT-oh /ˈkæt.oʊ/Medium

Meaning: Second of twinsMedium

In 30 seconds: Kato is a Ganda name from Uganda meaning 'second of twins'.
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Origin MediumGanda
MeaningSecond of twins
U.S. rank (2024)#2806 β†˜ Falling
2024 U.S. births46 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 811

Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 202219142024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Among the Ganda people of Uganda, Kato is traditionally given to the second-born of a set of twins, making it a name with a precise, practical role within the family. Its meaning sits in that twin-naming custom rather than in a poetic image.

The name also surfaces well outside East Africa: Kato Svanidze (1885 to 1907), Stalin's first wife, bore it, showing how the same short form turns up across very different settings.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Kato is 'second of twins', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 70%
Behind the Name - Kato β€” etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration β€” 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • β˜…Kato Svanidze (1885–1907)
    Stalin's first wife

If you like Kato…

Kaitoβ€” a similarly popular pick
Vitoβ€” shares the -to ending
Ottoβ€” echoes that soft -to sound
Catoβ€” shares the -to ending
Santoβ€” a similarly popular pick

Frequently Asked

What does the name Kato mean?

Kato is usually explained as meaning 'second of twins' and is most often linked with Ganda tradition.

How do you pronounce Kato?

It's commonly said KAT-oh /ˈkæt.oʊ/.

Is Kato a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Kato is used as a boy name.

How popular is Kato?

In 2024, Kato ranked #2806 in the U.S. for boys, with 46 births recorded.

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