Declining since 1986, #2,691 for girls today.
Popularity of Katy since 1880
Babies named Katy per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 54 |
| 1890s | 123 |
| 1900s | 184 |
| 1910s | 356 |
| 1920s | 538 |
| 1930s | 543 |
| 1940s | 706 |
| 1950s | 935 |
| 1960s | 1,445 |
| 1970s | 2,473 |
| 1980s | 5,926 |
| 1990s | 3,486 |
| 2000s | 2,212 |
| 2010s | 1,491 |
| 2020s | 480 |
Meaning & origin
Katy is a classic diminutive of Katherine that has maintained steady use over the decades. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1880 and reached its peak rank of 2691 in 1987, with about 1 in 25,114 girls receiving the name in the latest year. Its trajectory has been falling since 1986, reflecting a shift away from vintage pet forms. Katy has been most popular in the states of Florida, Texas, and California, where it was especially fashionable during the 1980s. The name's simplicity and friendly sound have kept it in circulation, even as spelling variants like Katie have surged. While not as common as in its heyday, Katy remains a familiar and approachable choice.
Katy is a pet form of Katherine, which derives from the Greek Aikaterinē. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages, and the spelling Katy is a common variant of Katie. It rose in popularity in the United States during the 20th century, especially in the 1980s.
Where Katy is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Katy” around the world
Where Katy lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Katy
Names that share Katy's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Katy
Names whose popularity has moved with Katy's over the last 50 years.
