Cathy
Cathy is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Pure.
Origin and history
Cathy is traditionally a diminutive form of Catherine or Cathleen, derived from the Greek name Aikaterine. It experienced immense popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, though it is much less commonly given to newborns today. The name is historically associated with concepts of purity.
Popularity in the United States
170,303 babies in the United States have been named Cathy since 1880. It ranks #232 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1970.
States where it is most popular
- CA (8.7 %)
- OH (6.7 %)
- NY (6.4 %)
- IL (5.9 %)
- TX (5.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 13 |
| 1920-1930 | 118 |
| 1930-1940 | 578 |
| 1940-1950 | 15,550 |
| 1950-1960 | 82,719 |
| 1960-1970 | 51,624 |
| 1970-1980 | 12,943 |
| 1980-1990 | 3,662 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,565 |
| 2000-2010 | 916 |
| 2010-2019 | 484 |
| 2020-2029 | 131 |
Famous people named Cathy
- Cathy Rigby: Gymnast, Actress
- Cathy Guisewite: Cartoonist, Author
- Cathy Freeman: Sprinter, Athlete
Fun facts
- Cathy was among the most popular names for American girls born in the 1950s and 1960s.
- The name was highlighted in popular culture by Cathy Guisewite's long-running syndicated comic strip 'Cathy'.