Name meaning & stats

Cathy

Cathy means “pure (debated)” (Ancient Greek origin). 169,937 US babies since 1940, peak 1958. Notable Cathys are 2.5× over-represented as politicians.

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What it means

“pure (debated)”

Ancient GreekPet form of Catherine

In US birth records

Peak year: 1958

169,937 US babies were named Cathy between 1940 and 2025.

Where Cathys end up

Not enough notable Cathys yet, so this uses the spelling family: Kathy, Cathy.

Career	vs expected	Confidence
Politician	2.5×	High · 88 people
Writer	1.1×	High · 47 people
Actor	0.8×	High · 46 people
Singer	0.7×	Medium · 19 people

Among notable women who are politicians, the Kathy family show up 2.5× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.

Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.

One more thing…

Cathy has a surprise career: 1.6×

Reveal it in Cathy's story

Spelling family

1 in 3 Kathys spell it Cathy

Kathy 62%
Cathy 31%
Kathie 3%
Kathi 2%
Cathie 1%
Cathi <1%
Cathey <1%
Kathey <1%
Kathye <1%
Cathye <1%

Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.

Name twins (peaked around 1958)