Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Kitty

Kitty may refer to a young or , or have several other meanings. For the Sanrio character, see Entertainment below. (full name Kitty White) is a fictional British girl created by the Japanese company in 1974 as a character for merchandise and media. Designed by illustrator , she is depicted as an anthropomorphic figure with white fur, a signature red bow, black eyes, and no mouth, standing at the height of five apples and weighing the same as three apples. Officially born on November 1, 1974, in the suburbs of , , Kitty lives with her parents, and , and her twin sister Mimmy, with hobbies including baking cookies and making friends; Sanrio emphasizes that she is a little girl and a friend, not a , despite her cat-like features. Introduced to the public in 1975 on a vinyl coin purse, quickly became a global cultural phenomenon, embodying the (cute) aesthetic and spawning an extensive range of products from apparel and stationery to theme parks and collaborations with brands like . By 2024, marking her 50th anniversary, had generated billions in retail sales worldwide, though her dominance has slightly waned in recent popularity polls where characters like have risen. She has appeared in animations, video games, music, and even served as an ambassador for , fostering themes of , positivity, and cross-cultural connection.

Animals

Domestic cat

The term "kitty" serves as an affectionate diminutive for the domestic cat (Felis catus), a small carnivorous mammal descended from Near Eastern wildcats (Felis silvestris lybica) domesticated around 9,000 years ago during the in the . This self-domestication process likely began as wildcats were drawn to human settlements to prey on attracted to stored grain, gradually leading to a symbiotic relationship that transformed the species into a companion animal. Domestic cats exhibit a compact, agile ideally suited for both and household life, with adults typically weighing 3 to 5 kg and possessing retractable claws that aid in climbing and capturing prey. Their activity patterns are primarily crepuscular, peaking at dawn and dusk, though has adapted their nocturnal instincts for indoor companionship, allowing flexibility in response to human schedules. While initial domestication occurred in the , cats arrived in around 4,000 years ago, where they were valued for and gained sacred status linked to the goddess , embodying protection, fertility, and domestic harmony; harming a cat was punishable by death. In modern times, they rank among the most beloved pets, with over 600 million domestic cats worldwide as of 2025, valued for their low-maintenance companionship and pest-deterring abilities in urban environments. Key behaviors in domestic cats include purring, a low-frequency vocalization often signaling contentment and social bonding during relaxation or . Kneading with their —rhythmic pressing motions—stems from kittenhood instincts but persists in adults as a display of comfort, stress relief, and territorial scent-marking via paw glands. Territorial marking, such as rubbing cheeks or spraying , reinforces social hierarchies and boundaries unique to communication, helping cats navigate shared spaces with minimal conflict.

Kitten

A kitten is a juvenile domestic (Felis catus) from birth until approximately 12 months of age, during which it undergoes significant physical and behavioral growth. The term "kitty" is often used interchangeably as an affectionate for a , emphasizing its playful . Kittens are typically born in litters of 1 to 9, with an average of 4 to 6, following a period of 58 to 72 days in (female cat). At birth, kittens are blind and deaf, relying entirely on their sense of touch and to navigate and nurse; their eyes open between 7 and 10 days, ears unfold around 14 days, and full sensory maturation occurs by 4 to 5 weeks. Developmental milestones include rapid weight gain (about 100 grams per week initially), beginning to walk unsteadily at 3 weeks, and from mother's to solid food between 4 and 8 weeks, which fosters coordination and exploratory play. By 6 months, kittens achieve greater independence, establishing social hierarchies through play and displaying emerging adult-like behaviors such as grooming and litter box use, while during the 2- to 7-week shapes their temperament toward humans and other animals. Neonatal kittens face high vulnerability, with mortality rates peaking in the first two weeks due to risks like from inadequate warmth or poor maternal care, and bacterial infections if exposed early. Essential care includes ensuring access to the queen's colostrum-rich first within hours of birth, which provides antibodies for against pathogens. Without this, kittens are prone to fading kitten syndrome, a decline leading to death from , , or . The affectionate term "kitty" derives from "," which traces to "kitoun" (a variant of Anglo-Norman "chaton," meaning young ), reinforcing its use for endearing, youthful felines since the .

Names

Kitty is a feminine , primarily serving as an English of , which originates from the Greek name Aikaterinē derived from katharos, meaning "pure." It emerged as a pet form around the , often used affectionately for young girls named Catherine, and gained prominence in 18th-century as a nickname among the upper classes. Some sources also identify it as an of , a form of Catherine, though this usage is less common. The name's popularity in English-speaking countries, particularly the , peaked in the late 19th century, reaching rank #346 in 1881 according to data, reflecting its appeal during the . It remained in the top 1000 names through the mid-20th century, with notable rankings in the – (e.g., #430 in 1947) and declining thereafter, last appearing in 1966 at #989. By the 2020s, Kitty has fallen out of the top 1000 in the U.S., though vintage name revivals in media, such as the 2023 series XO, Kitty, have sparked minor interest in its retro charm. In the , similar trends show steady but low usage post-World War II. Common spelling variants include and the shorter , with Kittye appearing occasionally in historical records; while predominantly feminine, it has rare applications in modern contexts. Culturally, the name has been adapted in branding, such as the Japanese pronunciation "Kiti" for the global character , introduced in 1974, which phonetically renders the English "Kitty" while evoking playfulness. Historical figures bearing the name include (1741–1767), an influential 18th-century English celebrated for her extravagant lifestyle, fashion influence, and portraits by artists like , embodying the era's social celebrity culture. Another is Kitty Genovese (1935–1964), a resident whose 1964 murder, initially reported as witnessed by dozens without intervention, catalyzed psychological research into the , though later accounts clarified fewer direct observers and some aid provided. For additional notable people with the name Kitty, see the "Notable people" section.

Notable people

Kitty Kiernan (1893–1945) was an Irish woman best known as the fiancée of revolutionary leader , with whom she exchanged over 300 letters between 1919 and 1922 during the and treaty negotiations, serving as a vital personal communication link amid his clandestine activities. Born Catherine Brigid Kiernan in , , she managed family hotels that became safe houses for republicans, supporting the independence movement through hospitality and discretion. Their romance, marked by frequent correspondence every second day during the 1921 talks, highlighted her role as Collins's confidante until his assassination in 1922. Kitty Carlisle Hart (1910–2007) was an American actress, singer, and television personality renowned for her Broadway performances and long tenure as a panelist on the game show To Tell the Truth. Born Catherine Conn in New Orleans, she rose to prominence in the 1930s as the leading lady opposite the Marx Brothers in the film A Night at the Opera (1935), showcasing her operatic training and comedic timing. Carlisle appeared on every iteration of To Tell the Truth from its 1956 debut through 2002, spanning 46 years and becoming a cultural fixture for her wit and elegance. Later in life, she served 25 years on the New York State Council on the Arts, advocating for cultural funding and preservation. Kitty (born 1993), born Kathryn-Leigh Beckwith, is an rapper, singer, and personality who gained prominence in the early through vaporwave-influenced and online virality. Emerging as in 2012 with the track "Okay Cupid," her Tumblr-wave style blended manic rhymes, pop culture references, and lo-fi beats, earning acclaim for its self-aware humor and suburban nostalgia. She has affiliations with the collective through collaborations and her label Pretty Wavvy, which hosted artists from that scene, solidifying her place in experimental electronic and rap subcultures since her debut. Srinagara Kitty (born 1977) is an Indian actor prominent in and television, known for his versatile roles across more than 50 films since his debut in 2003. Born Krishna in , he transitioned from television serials to lead film roles, earning popularity for romantic and dramatic parts in movies like (2008). Active into 2025, he starred in the sequel Sanju Weds Geetha 2 and Maadeva, and is set to appear in the dual-role drama Veshagalu, inspired by Ravi Belagere's novel, demonstrating his ongoing impact in the industry.

Entertainment

Film and television

The 1929 drama film Kitty, directed by Victor Saville, is a adaptation of Warwick Deeping's novel, following a young woman named Kitty Greenwood who faces separation from her fiancé due to and . Starring Estelle Brody as Kitty and John Stuart as her love interest, the film explores themes of love and loss amid wartime turmoil, running approximately 90 minutes in length. In 1945, released Kitty, a period comedy directed by and based on the 1927 novel by Rosamund Marshall. portrays the titular Kitty, a clever pickpocket in who is transformed into a lady by a scheming aristocrat () to secure her a wealthy , blending romance, social , and mischief. The film, which also features and , was praised for its lavish costumes and Goddard's spirited performance, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Art Direction. The Netflix series XO, Kitty, created by Jenny Han as a spin-off from the To All the Boys franchise, premiered its first season on May 18, 2023, centering on teenager Kitty Song Covey (Anna Cathcart) as she navigates love, identity, and family secrets at an elite international school in Seoul. The 10-episode season draws on K-drama tropes like love triangles and heartfelt confessions while incorporating cultural elements of Korean high school life, earning an 82% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its fresh representation of multicultural romance and youthful mischief. Season 2, released on January 16, 2025, continues Kitty's adventures in Seoul, delving deeper into her relationships and personal growth amid academic pressures and family revelations, with principal photography occurring in Seoul and surrounding areas from 2022 to 2024 at sites including Sangmyung University (standing in for the fictional KISS school) and Nodeul Island. In February 2025, the series was renewed for a third season. A 2025 supernatural titled Kitty, directed by James DiLullo, follows a young girl whose routine task of caring for her class pet—a —unleashes eerie, otherworldly forces, forcing her to confront an ancient adversary in a tale of innocence turned . Starring emerging talent Ayva Alexandra, the film blends curiosity with dread, emphasizing themes of vulnerability and self-reliance in just over 15 minutes of runtime. Across these productions, "Kitty" often evokes tropes of romance and playful mischief in the classics, evolving into explorations of cultural innocence and supernatural unease in modern works, with XO, Kitty particularly noted for its positive portrayal of Korean-American experiences.

Music

In the realm of music, "Kitty" has appeared as a title in various songs across genres, including alternative rock and K-pop soundtracks. The 1995 track "Kitty" by The Presidents of the United States of America, from their self-titled debut album, became a notable grunge-influenced hit, characterized by its playful lyrics mimicking cat sounds and a simple, energetic bassline that contributed to the band's early commercial success. More recently, the 2023 song "Kitty and Dae" by Jina Hyojin An and Shirley Song served as part of the original soundtrack for the Netflix series XO, Kitty, blending lighthearted pop elements with thematic ties to the show's romantic narrative. American artist Kitty (born Kathryn-Leigh Beckwith in 1993), known for her work in and experimental , has released several projects under the moniker since emerging in the early 2010s. Her early Frostbite (2011) showcased a dreamy, lo-fi aesthetic influenced by and Tumblr-era aesthetics, establishing her in underground rap scenes. By 2017, she transitioned to full-length albums like Miami Garden Club, incorporating production and personal themes of introspection and relationships. In 2025, Kitty issued singles such as "Jab World" from the Dream Isle Riddim EP and "Pricessofme," continuing her evolution toward more rhythmic, island-infused electronic sounds. Soundtracks featuring "Kitty" have gained prominence through media tie-ins, particularly the series. The 2025 release , composed by Jina Hyojin An and Shirley Song, comprises 27 instrumental tracks that underscore the show's emotional arcs with romantic pop arrangements, including subtle motifs. Tracks like ' "," featured in the series' promotional materials and playlists, exemplify the soundtrack's blend of and upbeat romance, which boosted streaming visibility for existing hits—such as Jung Kook's "Seven" reaching No. 1 on Billboard's Top TV Songs chart for January 2025 following its sync in the season. Kitty's contributions span experimental genres, with her vaporwave-adjacent early work influencing niche online communities through nostalgic sampling and surreal production, while the XO, Kitty soundtracks have amplified romantic pop's role in 2024-2025 streaming trends, driving cross-genre playlist integrations on platforms like Spotify. These elements highlight "Kitty" as a motif in music that bridges indie experimentation and mainstream media-driven accessibility.

Video games

Little Kitty, Big City is a 2024 indie developed by Double Dagger Studio, in which players control a lost navigating a vibrant urban environment filled with puzzles, side quests, and interactions with other animals to find their way home. The game emphasizes open-world exploration, allowing players to climb, sneak, and cause mischief in a cozy yet chaotic , with like collecting for upgrades and befriending strays. A free "Picture Purrfect" update released on August 27, 2025, introduced new areas, characters, cosmetics, and a cat customization system, expanding the game's playful elements. By mid-2025, the title had sold over 500,000 units on and PC alone, with total sales across platforms exceeding 1 million following the PlayStation release and August update, and reached over 2 million players via as of July 2024, earning praise for its charming cat-centric gameplay and receiving a "Very Positive" rating on with 96% approval from thousands of reviews. Hello Kitty Island Adventure, a 2023 cozy developed by Sunblink Entertainment, debuted exclusively on , where players restore a mysterious island alongside and friends through crafting, puzzle-solving, and social interactions in a vibrant, open-world setting. The game features exploration of themed biomes, cabin customization, and friendship-building mechanics that deepen relationships via gifts and activities, blending elements of adventure and . In 2025, it expanded to additional platforms, launching on and PC via on January 30, followed by digital releases on and on August 5, with physical editions for Switch and PS5 arriving on August 29. The title also hosted seasonal events like the Hugs & Hearts festival in February 2025, which introduced limited-time quests, lovebug collection for exclusive rewards, and Valentine's-themed decorations to enhance its communal vibe. Later in 2025, the Wheatflour DLC was released, introducing new areas, the character Cogimyun, and additional content across supported platforms. The Kitty Powers' Matchmaker series, launched in 2014 by Magic Notion, comprises ongoing dating simulation games where players manage a agency under the guidance of the flamboyant Kitty Powers, pairing clients through wardrobe choices, conversation guidance, and mini-games to navigate romantic dilemmas. Titles in the series, including Kitty Powers' Matchmaker and its sequels like Kitty Powers' Love Life, focus on humorous, inclusive LGBTQ+ representation and agency-building progression, with ports across mobile, PC, and consoles sustaining its popularity into 2025. The video game franchise traces its origins to 1990 with Balloon Kid, a , and has since evolved into a diverse catalog spanning over 100 titles across genres like adventure, racing, and rhythm games, often emphasizing cute aesthetics, friendship themes, and lighthearted challenges. Recent entries like Island Adventure continue this legacy by integrating modern social simulation elements, while historical releases such as World (1992) and later expansions fill a post-2020 niche for accessible, character-driven digital experiences featuring the iconic character.

Recreation and finance

Card and board games

In card games such as poker and , the term "kitty" refers to a pool of undealt cards set aside during the deal or a side pot of contributed by players for specific purposes, such as funding jackpots or covering game expenses. In poker, the kitty often functions as a , typically comprising 5% to 10% of each , deducted to support house operations, dealer tips, or promotional jackpots, a practice especially prevalent in informal home games. This monetary kitty has been a standard feature since the 19th century, aligning with poker's development in the United States, where it helps sustain play without direct player fees. The concept appears in other trick-taking games like and its variant , where the kitty consists of 4 to 6 undealt cards awarded to the highest bidder to improve their hand, after which excess cards are discarded. In bridge-related variants such as , an early predecessor to modern , the kitty similarly served as a set of undealt cards exchanged by the declarer to form the dummy hand. Board game variants, including house rules for , incorporate the kitty as a community fund where fines and taxes accumulate on the Free Parking space, awarded to the player who lands there to add excitement and prolong . The term "kitty" originated in 19th-century English card play, deriving from "kit" meaning a collection or fund, with little evolution in core rules over time; however, in 2025, online platforms like preserve the concept through structures that mirror traditional kitty deductions, adapting it for digital . Players often employ strategies to build or exploit the kitty, such as contributing minimally to blinds while aiming to win side bonuses from the accumulated , ensuring the kitty remains distinct from the main to avoid disputes over winnings.

Money pools

In and , a "kitty" denotes an informal of contributed by a group of individuals to cover shared expenses or common purposes, such as , coffee, or social outings. This arrangement is prevalent in workplaces, clubs, and social gatherings, where participants might "pass the kitty" to collect contributions for events like parties or team-building activities. The term originated in 19th-century , evolving from "kit" meaning a collection or outfit, and first appeared in print in referring to a percentage taken from card game pots for expenses, later extending beyond gaming to everyday shared funds. By the late 1800s, it had become a for any communal reserve, as seen in examples from literature and correspondence describing collections for refreshments or joint ventures. Legally, a kitty represents an informal, non-binding among contributors, relying on and norms rather than enforceable contracts, in contrast to formal trusts that provide legal protections and obligations for fund . These pools carry minimal regulatory oversight for small-scale uses, though larger or organized schemes may intersect with financial laws depending on . In , the term is particularly common for non-wagering collections, such as funds for perks or events, emphasizing its cultural role in fostering group without connotations. As of 2025, digital tools like the Kittysplit app facilitate modern kitties by allowing users to create online group pots for splitting expenses in real-time, adapting the traditional concept to mobile group .

Other uses

Places

Kitty Hawk is a coastal town in , situated on within the archipelago. Established as a small fishing village in the early 18th century, it gained worldwide prominence as the site where and Wilbur Wright achieved the first successful powered, controlled, and sustained airplane flight on December 17, 1903. The , administered by the , preserves the exact location of the historic flight, including replicas of the brothers' 1903 camp buildings and a 60-foot granite monument atop Big Kill Devil Hill commemorating their achievement. As of the 2024 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the town's population stands at 3,721, reflecting modest growth from the 3,689 residents recorded in the 2020 census. The name "Kitty Hawk" derives from an Anglicized form of the Algonquian term "Chickahauk," recorded on early 18th-century maps, though its precise meaning remains uncertain among Native American linguistic scholars. Prior to settlement, the area was inhabited by Algonquian-speaking for over a thousand years, with archaeological of villages dating back to around 1000 CE. During the colonial era, small soundside communities formed along what is now the western edge of the town, supporting fishing and maritime activities; many of these early settlements, once part of the broader region, have since vanished due to erosion, storms, and shifting dunes, leaving remnants preserved in the Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve. Adjacent to the town lies Kitty Hawk Bay, a shallow estuarine waterway in Dare County connected to , known for its role in local ecosystems and recreational boating. The bay's calm waters and surrounding maritime forests provide habitats for diverse wildlife, including migratory birds and , and have historically facilitated for Outer Banks fishermen. Kitty Hawk's aviation legacy continues to drive its cultural and economic significance, with annual commemorations drawing visitors to honor the ' innovation. In 2025, the First Flight Society plans to host events for the 122nd anniversary of the first flight on December 17, including ceremonies at the national memorial and a related banquet in the town. Additionally, celebrations on August 19, 2025, featured airplane displays, educational exhibits, and community activities at the nearby Dare County Regional Airport, underscoring the site's enduring impact on global aviation history.

Technology and products

The Kitty terminal emulator is a free, open-source, GPU-accelerated terminal application developed by Kovid Goyal, designed for high performance across Linux, macOS, and other Unix-like systems. It leverages GPU rendering and SIMD vector CPU instructions to achieve low-latency text rendering and smooth scrolling, making it particularly suitable for developers who spend extensive time in command-line environments. Released initially in 2017, Kitty emphasizes cross-platform compatibility and speed, with ongoing updates focusing on reducing startup latency and improving throughput by up to 50% in real-world scenarios through optimizations like SIMD acceleration. In 2025, Kitty reached version 0.44.0, building on version 0.43.0's introduction of the sessions feature, which enables users to create, save, and switch between multi-window and multi-tab setups via keypresses or session files for efficient workflow management. This update addressed demands for advanced window handling in pipelines, enhancing for power users. By November 2025, Kitty had gained significant traction among developers, frequently ranked among the top modern emulators for its feature set, including support for ligatures, images, and the Kitty keyboard protocol. Hello Kitty, a globally recognized brand created in 1974 featuring the fictional British girl Kitty White (see for details), has driven merchandise including apparel, toys, and accessories, generating an estimated $80 billion in lifetime global retail sales as of 2024. 's fiscal year ending March 2025 reported record consolidated net sales of 144.9 billion yen, with Hello Kitty contributing substantially via anniversary-driven campaigns in and . Kitty litter, a clumping absorbent for cat waste, was invented in 1947 by American entrepreneur Edward Lowe, who repackaged absorbent clay granules originally used for industrial purposes into five-pound bags sold to pet stores. Lowe's innovation addressed the limitations of or for indoor owners, sparking the modern pet care industry and leading to his company's growth into a multimillion-dollar enterprise by the 1960s. By 2025, kitty litter products had evolved to include biodegradable variants made from natural materials like corn, , recycled paper, and wood pellets, offering eco-friendly alternatives that reduce and compared to traditional clay formulas. Brands such as World's Best Cat Litter and Fresh News exemplify these options, with corn-based formulas providing strong clumping and odor control while being flushable and compostable in many cases. This shift reflects broader consumer demand for sustainable pet products, with natural litters comprising a growing segment of the market.