Cathy
Cathy is a diminutive of Catherine, derived from the Greek name Aikaterine, meaning 'pure.' It became popular as an independent name in the mid-20th century, offering a friendly and approachable alternative to its more formal parent name.
Current Popularity
#5968 for girls
in the United States (2024)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •Easy to spell and pronounce across most languages
- •Has a warm, 1950s-70s feel that's now making a comeback
- •Often used as a nickname for Catherine, but stands well on its own
- •Simple and unpretentious with universal recognition
Similar Names
Famous People
Cathy Guisewite
Cartoonist, creator of 'Cathy' comic strip
Cathy Freeman
Olympic gold medalist sprinter
Cathy Rigby
Olympic gymnast and actress
Cathy Moriarty
Actress, 'Raging Bull'
Statistics
170,291
Total births since 1880
1958
Peak year
Discovery
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