The nameCathy
Cathy is a pet form of Catherine. It was a top 40 American name in the 1950s.
- Girl's name
- English
- Feast day
Meaning
Cathy comes from Catherine, from the Greek Aikaterine.
Origin
English, from Greek.
History
In Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights Catherine Earnshaw is called Cathy. In the United States the name reached 34th place in 1958.
Did you know?
- At the 2000 Sydney Games, Cathy Freeman lit the Olympic cauldron and then won the 400 metres.
Famous people named Cathy
- Cathy Freeman, sprinter
Popularity of the name Cathy
Cathy in the United States
Cathy was most popular in the United States in the 1950s, with 82,858 births over the decade, 49% of all recorded babies named Cathy. Its rise began around 1946, and it peaked in 1958. Half of all babies named Cathy in the United States were born before 1958, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 24 births a year on average, against 44 in the five years before.
Cathy in Ireland
Cathy was most popular in Ireland in the 1980s, with 246 births over the decade, 37% of all recorded babies named Cathy. Its rise began around 1968, and it peaked in 1986. Half of all babies named Cathy in Ireland were born before 1986, so it is mostly a parents' generation name.
Cathy in France
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Cathy
Names from the same generation as Cathy, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Cathy? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Cathy with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Cathy side by side with the name of your choice.
Cathy in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cathy mean?
Cathy comes from Catherine, from the Greek Aikaterine.
What is the origin of the name Cathy?
English, from Greek.
Is Cathy a girl's or a boy's name?
Cathy is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Cathy?
In 2024, Cathy was the 6116th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 20 births.
What are the variants of the name Cathy?
Variants and related names of Cathy include Catherine, Katarzyna, Katharina, Kathy, Katja and Katrin.
What are good sibling names for Cathy?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Kimberley, Debbie, Mandy and Janine for a sister, Willy, Gary, Geoffrey and Rosendo for a brother.
Who are famous people named Cathy?
Cathy Freeman, sprinter.