The nameKathy
Kathy is a friendly pet form of Katherine. It was a top 20 American name in the 1950s.
- Girl's name
- English
- Feast day
Meaning
Kathy comes from Katherine, from the Greek Aikaterine, later linked to katharos, "pure".
Origin
English, from Greek.
History
In the United States Kathy reached 14th place in 1958. In England and Wales its best rank since 1996 is 1287th, in 1997.
Did you know?
- Kathy Bates won the Oscar for best actress in 1991 for Misery, based on Stephen King's novel.
Famous people named Kathy
- Kathy Bates, actress
- Kathy Burke, actress
Popularity of the name Kathy
Kathy in the United States
Kathy was most popular in the United States in the 1950s, with 158,226 births over the decade, 47% of all recorded babies named Kathy. Its rise began around 1944, and it peaked in 1958. Half of all babies named Kathy 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: 71 births a year on average, against 113 in the five years before.
Kathy in France
Kathy was most popular in France in the 1970s, with 1,755 births over the decade, 38% of all recorded babies named Kathy. Its rise began around 1953, and it peaked in 1973. Half of all babies named Kathy in France were born before 1976, so it is mostly a parents' generation name.
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Kathy
Names from the same generation as Kathy, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Kathy? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Kathy with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Kathy side by side with the name of your choice.
Kathy in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kathy mean?
Kathy comes from Katherine, from the Greek Aikaterine, later linked to katharos, "pure".
What is the origin of the name Kathy?
English, from Greek.
Is Kathy a girl's or a boy's name?
Kathy is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Kathy?
In 2024, Kathy was the 2697th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 64 births.
What are the variants of the name Kathy?
Variants and related names of Kathy include Catherine, Cathy, Katarzyna, Katharina, Katherine, Katja and Katrin.
What are good sibling names for Kathy?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Pamela, Melinda, Debbie and Leanne for a sister, Gary, Bobby, Steve and Rigoberto for a brother.
Who are famous people named Kathy?
Kathy Bates, actress; Kathy Burke, actress.