Boy · #7,725 in 2026

Ketch

A ketch is a two-masted sailboat whose mainmast is taller than the mizzen mast, and whose mizzen mast is stepped forward of the rudder post. The mizzen mast being stepped forward of the rudder post is what distinguishes the ketch from a yawl, which has its mizzen mast stepped aft of its rudder post.

Current Rank
#7,725
Peak Rank
#7,024 (2013)
Total Babies
68
5-Yr Trend
Stable
2005
First Year
2024
Last Year
2013
Peak Year
#7024
Peak Rank
68
Total Count
10
Years Active

Meaning & Origin of Ketch

What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.

A ketch is a two-masted sailboat whose mainmast is taller than the mizzen mast, and whose mizzen mast is stepped forward of the rudder post. The mizzen mast being stepped forward of the rudder post is what distinguishes the ketch from a yawl, which has its mizzen mast stepped aft of its rudder post.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →

Origin & history
The name ketch is derived from catch . The ketch's main mast is usually stepped further forward than the position found on a sloop . The sail plan of a ketch is similar to that of a yawl , on which the mizzen mast is smaller and set further back. There are versions of the ketch rig that only have a mainsail and a mizzen, in which case they are referred to as cat ketch . More commonly ketches have headsails (Jibs). When a ketch is rigged so that it can fly multiple jibs at the same time, the rig is sometimes referred to as a multi-headsail ketch. While sometimes seen in print, it is incorrect t

The Story of Ketch

Ketch first appeared in U.S. Social Security Administration records as a baby boy name in 2005, with 5 babies given the name that year. Its peak popularity came in 2013, when 11 Ketchs were born — ranking #7,024 that year. As of 2026, Ketch ranks #7,725 for baby boys with 10 births, with steady use. In total, more than 68 Ketchs have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 2000s through the 2020s.

Popularity Over Time

Popularity by State

ME
WA
MT
ND
MN
WI
MI
NY
VT
NH
MA
OR
ID
SD
IA
IL
IN
OH
PA
NJ
CT
RI
CA
NV
WY
NE
MO
KY
WV
VA
MD
DE
DC
UT
CO
KS
AR
TN
NC
SC
AK
AZ
NM
OK
LA
MS
AL
GA
HI
TX
FL
Top 10
11-50
51-100
101-500
500+
No data

Names that sound like Ketch

Phonetically similar names — useful when Ketch is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.

  • Kitch
  • Kitsch
  • Cutch
  • Kuch
  • Kutch
  • Cuch
  • Kich
  • Kiche
  • Kutsche
  • Couch
  • Catch
  • Coach

Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ketch

What does the name Ketch mean?
A ketch is a two-masted sailboat whose mainmast is taller than the mizzen mast, and whose mizzen mast is stepped forward of the rudder post. The mizzen mast being stepped forward of the rudder post is what distinguishes the ketch from a yawl, which has its mizzen mast stepped aft of its rudder post.
How popular is Ketch in 2026?
In 2026, Ketch ranks #7,725 among boys' names in the U.S., with 10 babies given the name that year.
When was Ketch most popular?
Ketch reached its peak popularity in 2013, ranking #7,024 that year with 11 babies given the name.
Is Ketch a unisex name?
In U.S. Social Security records, Ketch is primarily a boy's name. We don't have meaningful data for it as a girl's name.
What names go well with Ketch?
Names that share a similar style or popularity range with Ketch include Bay, Aqeel, Falon. These pairings are based on rank proximity and naming era in U.S. data.

About the name Ketch

Ketch is a boy baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 2005 and has accumulated 68 births in the dataset. Ketch's peak popularity came in 2013 when it ranked #7,024. Use the chart and map above to compare Ketch's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.

Continue exploring

Data sources

  • Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
  • Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
  • Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
  • Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
  • Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .

Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.