Holding steady.
Popularity of Kathey since 1938
Babies named Kathey per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 264 |
| 1950s | 877 |
| 1960s | 390 |
| 1970s | 64 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Kathey first entered U.S. birth records in 1938, a time when phonetic spellings of classic names were gaining traction. Its peak year was 1956, aligning with the mid-century popularity of Katherine variants. While it never achieved the widespread use of its root form Kathy, Kathey has maintained a stable presence over the decades, last recorded in 2025. The name reflects a cultural trend of creating personalized spellings, resulting in a distinct but recognizable alternative to more common forms.
Kathey is a simplified spelling variant of Kathy, itself a common English short form of Katherine. The name Katherine entered English via French from Latin 'Katharina,' from Greek 'Aikaterine.' The modern etymology is uncertain, but the most popular traditional interpretation associates it with the Greek 'katharos,' meaning 'pure.' Another theory suggests a connection to the goddess Hecate through 'hekateros,' meaning 'each of the two.' Kathey reflects a mid-20th century trend of respelling familiar nicknames with a 'y' ending for a distinctive look.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kat, Kathy, Kit
Sibling names for Kathey
Names that share Kathey's style, for a brother or sister.
