Kathy is a diminutive of the name Katherine or Catherine, which are both derived from the Greek name Aikaterine. The meaning of Katherine is "pure" and it is believed to have been popularized by St. Catherine of Alexandria, who was a Christian martyr in the 4th century.
The use of the nickname Kathy began in the Middle Ages as a pet form of Katherine. It became more popular in the United States during the mid-20th century and has remained a common name since then.
Some famous people with the name Kathy include:
* Kathy Ireland, an American model and businesswoman
* Kathy Bates, an American actress known for her role in "American Horror Story"
* Kathy Griffin, an American comedian and actress
Overall, Kathy is a classic and timeless name that has been used for centuries. Its meaning of purity makes it a popular choice among parents looking for a name with positive connotations.
The name Kathy has had an interesting journey in terms of popularity over the years in the United States. In the early 1900s, its usage was quite limited, with fewer than 10 births per year recorded between 1910 and 1925. However, it started to gain traction in the late 1920s and early 1930s, with a steady increase in births each year.
The name Kathy reached its peak popularity in the 1940s and 1950s. In 1946 alone, there were 4,179 babies named Kathy, marking a significant jump from previous years. This trend continued into the 1950s, with over 20,000 births recorded each year between 1956 and 1959.
However, like many names, Kathy's popularity began to decline in the late 1960s and early 1970s. By 1974, the number of births had dropped below 2,000 for the first time since the 1930s. This downward trend continued throughout the remainder of the century.
In recent years, Kathy has remained relatively uncommon. Between 2016 and 2022, fewer than 150 babies were named Kathy each year in the United States. However, despite its decrease in popularity, it is still a name with historical significance, having been given to over 334,000 individuals born in the U.S. since records began.
This data illustrates how trends in baby naming can change dramatically over time and how even names that were once very popular can eventually fall out of fashion. It's fascinating to observe how societal preferences evolve through this lens.