Kathi Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KATH-ee //ˈkæθ.i//
Origin: Greek; English
Meaning: Greek: pure; English: short form of Katherine
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kathi is a diminutive form of Katherine, which has its roots in the Greek name Aikaterine. The etymology of Aikaterine is somewhat debated, but it is often linked to the Greek word "katharos," meaning "pure." This name was adopted into Latin as "Caterina," which subsequently influenced various forms in different languages, including the Old French "Catherine" and the Middle English "Katherine." The transition to Kathi as a diminutive likely occurred in the 20th century, reflecting a trend towards more informal and affectionate forms of traditional names.
Historically, the name Katherine has been borne by numerous notable figures, including Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a Christian martyr from the 4th century, whose feast day is celebrated on November 25. The name gained further prominence through its association with royal figures, such as Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII of England in the 16th century.
The name's enduring presence in literature and religious texts, including its appearances in various translations of the Bible, has solidified its significance over the centuries. Culturally, the name Kathi, as a derivative of Katherine, carries connotations of purity and virtue, which have been celebrated in various traditions.
The name has been associated with strong female figures in history and literature, contributing to its resonance in different cultures. The use of Kathi as a diminutive form reflects a broader trend of creating affectionate or familiar versions of names, which has been a common practice across many languages and cultures.
Famous people named Kathi
In this section, you will find notable people named Kathi. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Kathi who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Kathi who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Kathi Lee Gifford is a television host and singer best known for Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee, and her work on the Today Show.
Kathi Browne is a writer and producer best known for her work on The Amazing Race and The Great Race.
Kathi Wilcox is a musician best known as the bassist for the band Bikini Kill.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kathi, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Kathi. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kathi was first seen in the United States in 1938.
Kathi has ranked as high as #587 nationally, which occurred in 1958, and has been most popular in California, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Kathi has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kathi is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Kathi was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Kathi.
| Year | Total Births | Girl |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 5 | 5 |
| 1999 | 5 | 5 |
| 1998 | 7 | 7 |
| 1994 | 6 | 6 |
| 1993 | 9 | 9 |
| 1992 | 10 | 10 |
| 1991 | 7 | 7 |
| 1990 | 15 | 15 |
| 1989 | 10 | 10 |
| 1988 | 10 | 10 |
| 1987 | 13 | 13 |
| 1986 | 14 | 14 |
| 1985 | 21 | 21 |
| 1984 | 19 | 19 |
| 1983 | 27 | 27 |
| 1982 | 27 | 27 |
| 1981 | 37 | 37 |
| 1980 | 35 | 35 |
| 1979 | 40 | 40 |
| 1978 | 42 | 42 |
| 1977 | 45 | 45 |
| 1976 | 48 | 48 |
| 1975 | 65 | 65 |
| 1974 | 69 | 69 |
| 1973 | 83 | 83 |
| 1972 | 116 | 116 |
| 1971 | 151 | 151 |
| 1970 | 171 | 171 |
| 1969 | 183 | 183 |
| 1968 | 157 | 157 |
| 1967 | 184 | 184 |
| 1966 | 166 | 166 |
| 1965 | 255 | 255 |
| 1964 | 330 | 330 |
| 1963 | 370 | 370 |
| 1962 | 457 | 457 |
| 1961 | 536 | 536 |
| 1960 | 681 | 681 |
| 1959 | 756 | 756 |
| 1958 | 824 | 824 |
| 1957 | 624 | 624 |
| 1956 | 402 | 402 |
| 1955 | 398 | 398 |
| 1954 | 740 | 740 |
| 1953 | 438 | 438 |
| 1952 | 275 | 275 |
| 1951 | 247 | 247 |
| 1950 | 159 | 159 |
| 1949 | 119 | 119 |
| 1948 | 147 | 147 |
| 1947 | 142 | 142 |
| 1946 | 117 | 117 |
| 1945 | 75 | 75 |
| 1944 | 59 | 59 |
| 1943 | 76 | 76 |
| 1942 | 39 | 39 |
| 1941 | 17 | 17 |
| 1940 | 14 | 14 |
| 1939 | 10 | 10 |
| 1938 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Kathi (1980)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 6 |