Girl · 60th of 12,526
Cathy
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
170,634
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1958
Peak Popularity Year
10,961
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Cathy stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Cathy is an English name derived from Catherine, which has Greek roots meaning 'pure'. It evolved from various historical forms like Katharina and Katherine. The name is commonly associated with traits of warmth and friendliness. It has no biblical significance and gained popularity in the 20th century. Variants include Cat and Kate, and notable people with this name include Cathy Freeman and Cathy Guisewite.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkæθi/
Origin
English
Etymology
Cathy is often considered a diminutive of Catherine, which comes from the Greek 'katharos' meaning 'pure'.
Meaning
pure
Language Evolution
Catherine, Katharina, Katherine
Historical Usage
The name Cathy gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a common diminutive of Catherine.
Variants & Derivatives
Cathy, Cat, Kate
Modern Popularity & Image
Cathy is perceived as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with warmth and kindness.
Famous People
Cathy Freeman, Cathy Guisewite, Cathy O'Dowd
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 10,961 peak births in 1958
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in West Virginia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 24 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 10 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 6464th of 6773 | 6 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2177th of 7552 | 265 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 4832nd of 10718 | 72 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 3922nd of 9107 | 97 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 495th of 9204 | 3,712 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 60th of 12526 | 131,476 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 163rd of 19264 | 28,827 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 726th of 27321 | 4,287 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2078th of 35406 | 1,444 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 3987th of 30306 | 448 |