Kathy

Kathy is a feminine given name, commonly a diminutive of Katherine or Katharine. It derives from the Greek name Aikaterine, often linked to the meaning "pure," though the exact origin is debated. As a stand-alone given name, Kathy has been widely used in English-speaking countries. Variants and related names include Kathe, Kathie, Katy, Kate, and Katie.

Usage and popularity: Kathy grew as a standalone given name in the 20th century and peaked in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. Today it is frequently used as a familiar form of Katherine rather than an official birth name, though some bearers are legally named Kathy. The name remains common in English-speaking countries and has many related forms.

Notable people named Kathy include American actress Kathy Bates (born 1941), known for Misery and Titanic; Kathy Ireland (born 1963), model and designer; Kathy Griffin (born 1960), comedian and TV host; Kathy Najimy (born 1957), actress and activist; Kathy Mattea (born 1960), country singer; Kathy Lee Gifford (born 1953), television host and songwriter.

Fictional uses include Kathy Beale, a long-running character in the British soap opera EastEnders, reflecting the name's presence in popular culture.