Kathie is a feminine given name of American origin. It is a variant or diminutive form of the name Catherine, which has its roots in the Greek word 'katharos', meaning pure or clear. The name Catherine was introduced to Britain by Queen Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of King Henry VIII.
The name Kathie gained popularity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in America. It was often used as a pet form or nickname for girls named Catherine. Today, Kathie is still recognized as a distinct given name, although it may be less common than its full form, Catherine.
Throughout history, notable figures have carried the name Kathie. For example, Katharine Hepburn, an American actress known for her strong performances in films like "The Philadelphia Story" and "African Queen," was born with the name Katherine but went by Katharine throughout her career. Another notable figure is Kathie Lee Gifford, an American television host, singer, songwriter, and author.
In popular culture, Kathie has been used as a character name in various movies and TV shows. For instance, Kathie Sutton is a character in the American soap opera "The Young and the Restless." Additionally, the song "Kathleen" by The Everly Brothers features the lyric change to "Kathie" when performed live.
Overall, Kathie is a charming name with historical roots, offering a sweet and playful alternative to Catherine while still holding its own as an independent given name.
The name Kathie has seen a significant fluctuation in popularity over the years in the United States. Starting with only 7 births in 1918, it peaked in 1947 with 489 births, indicating that this was its most popular year. After that peak, however, the number of babies named Kathie began to decrease steadily.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the name remained relatively common, with hundreds of babies being named Kathie each year. However, by the 1970s, its popularity started to decline significantly, with fewer than 100 births per year. This trend continued into the 1980s and 1990s, with only a few dozen babies named Kathie annually.
In the early 2000s, there were around 15-24 births each year with the name Kathie, but by 2010, this number had dropped to just 5 births. Since then, the name has remained relatively rare, with only a handful of babies being named Kathie each year.
Overall, despite its initial popularity and subsequent decline, the name Kathie has seen 15,086 births in total in the United States since 1918. This data reflects the changing trends in baby naming over the course of nearly a century.