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NamyLab

Cathy

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Pure"

Cathy is an English diminutive of Catherine, a long-used name associated with traditions of purity in Christian Europe.

Themes:diminutiveclassicgreek
UniqueRare

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Cathy

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#5968Ranked in 2024

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#5968

Cathy was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-815

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Cathy Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Cathy.

9 ideas
caty
Nickname
cath
Nickname
cy
Nickname
co
Nickname
cie
Nickname
cathyie
Nickname
cathyy
Nickname
ca
Nickname
athy
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Cathy

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Cathy, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

16 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Cathy mean?
Cathy means "Pure". Cathy is an English diminutive of Catherine, a long-used name associated with traditions of purity in Christian Europe.
What is the origin of Cathy?
Cathy is of Greek origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Cathy?
According to the latest SSA data, Cathy is currently ranked #5968 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Cathy a girl name?
Cathy is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Cathy?
Popular nicknames for Cathy include caty, cath, cy, co, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Cathy?
There are many names similar to Cathy in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginGreek, English
Syllables2
Length5 letters
US Rank#5968
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withC

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Cathy

Cathy has Greek roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Greek baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Cathy appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Unique Baby Names and Classic Greek Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Traditional English Names and Names That Mean The Sun for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Cathy pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Cathy beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.