Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Is Kit really that popular?

31 replies

Jooni · 06/12/2016 13:02

I know Kit pops up in MN threads a lot but I keep seeing comments about how it's getting really popular now and people know tons of baby Kits.

I've never met or even heard of a Kit in real life and it's a name we're strongly considering for DC2 due next year, if it's a boy. I've checked the data for the last few years and it is rapidly increasing in use, but still only 120 odd baby boys were called Kit last year.

How popular is it really getting? Is this just a MN/North London thing? I'm not bothered about it getting a bit more use but I'd rather not pick something that's going to shoot into the top 20 then date really badly. Plus DD has a fairly unusual name so I'd like something with a similar feel to it.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Filibustering · 17/01/2017 21:03

Two, both in the more expensive bits of west London.

Original poster
Jooni · 17/01/2017 21:00

Resurrecting this because of all the Kit chat on this forum tonight!

How many do you know?

OP posts:
SquirrelPaws · 07/12/2016 08:24

I know one, aged 2, living in the south-west. At the posher end of middle-class. I have known a couple of adult Kits, who would be late 30s now. I think all are Christophers on paper, but I've never asked.

Somerville · 07/12/2016 08:15

Kit short for Christopher has a long and distinguished history. Christopher Marlow, born in 1564-ish, was known as Kit, for example.

But it can also be short for other Chris-names. I know a vairy posh Kit short for Crispin - adult. And a teenage Kit short for Christian. And two Kit's short for Christopher under 10.

Kit on its own is a pretty new phenomena from what I can see. Inspired by Kit Harrington (who is a Christopher) as well as the Rooneys, I suspect.

idontlikealdi · 07/12/2016 07:58

I know a couple of Kitty's known as Kit.

Original poster
Jooni · 07/12/2016 07:56

Thanks for the responses everyone. No idea where all these Kits are then Wink

I realise that lots of Kits will be Christopher as a full name but we'd just go with Kit as it sounds great with the surname and is an honour name of sorts. Christopher isn't wildly popular at the moment either though AFAIK so not too bothered by that.

Thanks again for all your thoughts and opinions.

OP posts:
allegretto · 06/12/2016 21:16

I know one (10) who is actually Christopher but always called Kit and one "real" Kit who is 6.

IJustWantABrew · 06/12/2016 21:13

Someone at my baby massage class has called her baby that. We're up north. Not a name I really like but I don't think there can be that many out there. Suppose a lot of people with register baby as Christopher and use kit as a nick name.

Kenworthington · 06/12/2016 21:00

The only male kit I know is about 45, and I know a female kit aged about 75

restinginmyaccount · 06/12/2016 20:58

I met a girl one once. Nice enough.

SoftSheen · 06/12/2016 20:53

I know one, a little boy who is nearly two. In his case it is a shortening of Christopher.

RalphSteadmansEye · 06/12/2016 20:51

The Kits I know are all registered as Christopher so won't show up on the stats.

WyfOfBathe · 06/12/2016 20:48

I taught a Kit (short for Christopher) once. He must be in his 20s now. I don't know any others.

Neither Kit nor Christopher were in the top 100 last year.

namesstress2323 · 06/12/2016 20:41

i love it, even for a girl. I've never met any though

MiniMaxi · 06/12/2016 20:30

I feel the same about Araminta! Never heard of anyone being called it but constantly mentioned on MN.

Fwiw I think kit is a lovely name - obviously in people's minds because of Kit Harington but I don't know any baby Kits and I'm in N London Wink

Pidlan · 06/12/2016 20:27

Gym Kit.
Actually, Jim Kit is a pretty cool name.

3catsandcounting · 06/12/2016 20:18

I had an uncle Kit who would have very old by now; also knew a couple of Kits in my teen years; met a young Kit recently. No idea if they were all Christopher's though.
Seems to be fairly a MC name.

Nonameyet1 · 06/12/2016 20:07

Not that popular at all. I taught one who's probably 10 now. Good name.

reindeerbitesback · 06/12/2016 19:40

People are using Kit as a nn for Christopher, so check the name stats for that as well.

I do know one (I am in London, though).

CoraPirbright · 06/12/2016 19:37

I would think it weird if it was simply 'Kit' but as a shortening for Christopher, I am all for it. I think it is a wonderful name but know none (SE England) so, to me, it is still unusual.

Gruffalosfriend · 06/12/2016 14:03

It sounds quite feminine to me, maybe because of Kitty...

Gruffalosfriend · 06/12/2016 14:03

Kit? Like rugby kit?

I don't know anyone with that name

midsomermurderess · 06/12/2016 13:51

Kit preceded and will outlast Wayne Rooney. I agree that it is most used as a nn for Christopher. FWIW, I think it's lovely.

ChewedUpRope · 06/12/2016 13:23

Agreed with BuntyFiggles.

Also, lots of people are very hyperbolic about this kind of thing and say things like "omg so many Kits, they're everywhere" because they know two children with the name. So I'd take it all with a pinch of salt.

NiceCuppaTeaAndASitDown · 06/12/2016 13:22

I know a few, but all short for Christopher and none are 'Kit' in its own right. Perhaps that's where the confusion over popularity is if you're looking at the charts.
I'm in Cheshire by the way

Swipe left for the next trending thread