Cathy

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Cathy

Gender: Feminine
Language: English
Etymology:
Cathy is short for Catherine, the French form of Caterine, the Old French form of Katherine, a blend of the (possibly) Coptic name Aikaterina and the Greek word “katharos” (pure). Possibly connected with the Greek word “aikia” (torture) or the goddess of the underworld named Hecate.

History:
Cathy, a nickname for Katherine, began being given as a first name in the mid-twentieth century, along with other diminutives (Jerry, Connie).
Please see Katherine for more information.

Pronunciation: cath-ee.

Alternates: Cat, Catey, Cathey, Cathy, Kit, Kitty.

Famous Bearers:
Fictional Characters:
Cathy Earnshaw
From the novel Wuthering Heights.

Miscellaneous:
Cathy Turner (1962-)
American speed skater.
Cathy Freeman (1973-)
Australian sprinter.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.137 % named Cathy

Popularity of Cathy:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1940: N/A
1940-1950: 169th most popular.
1950-1960: 52nd most popular.
1960-1970: 76th most popular.
1970-1980: 215th most popular.
1980-1990: 557th most popular.
1990: 938th most popular.
1991: 942nd most popular.
1992: N/A

In France...
1900-1950: N/A
1956: 183rd most popular.
1960: 139th most popular.
1970: 62nd most popular.
1980: 101st most popular.
1989: 184th most popular.
1990-2000: N/A