What does Katniss mean and where does it come from?
Katniss is a modern name popularized by Suzanne Collins' 'The Hunger Games' series where the main character, Katniss Everdeen, embodies survival and rebellion. The name is derived from the plant Sagittaria, which is commonly known as 'Katniss' or 'arrowhead.' It symbolizes resilience and strength. A
Cultural significance
Katniss has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of english.
Peak popularity
Reached #3995 in 2014 — currently #12531 in the US.
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Related Reading
American-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →How else can you spell Katniss?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
What middle names flow best with Katniss?
Katniss works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Katniss Grace
One syllable · timeless choice
Katniss Leah
One syllable · timeless choice
Katniss Claire
One syllable · timeless choice
Katniss Zoey
One syllable · vintage charm
Katniss Maeve
One syllable · timeless choice
Katniss Jade
One syllable · vintage charm
How popular is Katniss right now?
Falling — down 1852 spots — currently #12531 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2025 | #12531 | 7 | ▼ down 1852 · -22% births |
| 2024 | #10679 | 9 | ▲ up 40 |
| 2023 | #10719 | 9 | ▲ up 64 |
| 2022 | #10783 | 9 | ▼ down 2959 · -36% births |
| 2021 | #7824 | 14 | ▲ up 1000 · +17% births |
| 2020 | #8824 | 12 | ▼ down 4110 · -60% births |
| 2015 | #4714 | 30 | — |
The story of Katniss
Katniss is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 2012. With 161 total births recorded, Katniss remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #4714 in 2015, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #10719 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Katniss in 2014:
💎Katniss has only 161 total recorded births since 2012 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.
What are good nicknames for Katniss?
What names sound and feel like Katniss?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Katniss also consider these
Common questions about the name Katniss
What does the name Katniss mean?
Katniss means "English" — a name rooted in American tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Katniss?
Katniss is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Katniss have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Katniss?
Katniss originates from American tradition. American names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Katniss?
Katniss is a four-syllable name pronounced KATN-EE-ES-ES. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
What sibling names go well with Katniss?
Katniss pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar American heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.