Kathryn is a feminine given name of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English form of the Late Latin name "Catherine," which was introduced to England by the Normans in the 11th century.
The name Catherine is composed of two elements: "katharos" meaning pure or clear, and "-ine" denoting a person or place. Therefore, the name signifies purity or clarity. Over time, the spelling of Kathryn has varied considerably, including Katherine, Cathryn, Katharine, Catheryn, Kathleen, Kathey, and many others.
The popularity of the name Kathryn can be traced back to its association with Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a 4th-century Christian martyr who was revered throughout Europe in the Middle Ages. Legend has it that Catherine was a princess who converted to Christianity and refused to marry unless her suitor could solve a riddle posed by her. Impressed by her intelligence and faith, many men sought her hand but were unsuccessful until they reached the conclusion that she was destined for greater things.
Kathryn gained further popularity during the Victorian era when it became fashionable among the British upper class to use old-fashioned names like Catherine and Elizabeth for their daughters. Today, Kathryn remains a popular choice for parents seeking a traditional yet distinctive name for their baby girl.
In literature and history, several notable figures have borne this name, including Kathryn O'Hara, the author of several children's books; Kathryn Bigelow, an Academy Award-winning filmmaker known for her work on "The Hurt Locker" and "Zero Dark Thirty"; and Kathryn Graham, the publisher of The Washington Post who oversaw its transformation into a major American newspaper during the mid-20th century.
Overall, Kathey is a name with deep historical roots and a rich cultural heritage that continues to resonate with parents seeking timeless elegance for their daughters.
The statistics for the given name Kathey show a clear trend over time in the United States. From 1938 to 2005, there was significant variation in the number of babies named Kathey each year.
In the early years, the number of births with the name Kathey ranged from 5 to 18 per year between 1938 and 1942. However, this began to rise sharply in the mid-1940s, peaking at 69 births in 1950.
The popularity of the name continued to grow throughout the 1950s, reaching a high of 126 births in 1956. This was followed by a slight decline, with numbers ranging from 76 to 103 births per year between 1957 and 1958.
The late 1950s and early 1960s saw a gradual decrease in the number of babies named Kathey. From 1960 onwards, the numbers fell below 60 each year, reaching a low of just 5 births in both 1973 and 2005.
Overall, between 1938 and 2005, there were a total of 1,600 babies named Kathey born in the United States. While the name was quite popular during certain periods, it has become much less common in recent decades.