Definition of "Kate"

Petruchio.Good morrow, Kate; for that's your name, I hear.Katharina.Well have you heard, but something hard of hearing: / They call me Katharine that do talk of me.Petruchio.You lie, in faith; for you are call'd plain Kate, / And bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the curst;

c. 1590–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act II, scene i]

A great number of children, amongst the lower classes, are Carolines. - - - A clergyman in my neighbourhood used to mistake the sound, and christen the babies Catharine; - a wise error, for Kate is a noble abbreviation.

1830, Mary Russell Mitford, Our Village: Fourth Series: Cottage Names:

"And I have such a horrible name. Think of it... Kate. Who would take Kate on a Moonlight Cruise...or out to the Minstrels at the point. If you ever do find me in the company of a strange young man, call me Irene. Promise me."

1944, A.J.Cronin, The Green Years, Little, Brown, and Company, page 62

Ruth did know, but Kate was not named after Hecate or Auntie Catherine or Santa Caterina of Siena (suggested by a Catholic priest of Ruth's acquaintance). She was simply Kate because Ruth liked the name. It was attractive without being twee, strong without being hard. You could hear it prefaced by Doctor or followed by MP. At the same time it was cute enough for a baby.

2014, Elly Griffiths, Ruth Galloway: The Early Cases: A Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries Collection, Hachette UK