Cathy is a popular given name of English origin, derived from the Latin name Catherine. It means "pure" or "innocent." The name Cathy gained prominence during the mid-20th century and was often used as a diminutive for Catherine in many English-speaking countries. It is a classic and timeless choice for a girl's name, with variations such as Kate, Katie, Kathleen, and Kathryn being equally popular.
The name Cathy experienced significant fluctuations in popularity throughout the years, with a notable peak occurring between 1956 and 1960 when it consistently ranked among the top 20 names for newborn girls each year. However, its popularity waned thereafter, dropping to single-digit numbers by the mid-1970s.