Cathy

Cathy is an English diminutive of Catherine, which ultimately derives from the Greek name Aikaterine, a name whose earlier etymology remains debated but is commonly associated with the Greek word katharos, meaning pure. The name Catherine gained widespread use in medieval Europe largely through the veneration of Saint Catherine of Alexandria and later Saint Catherine of Siena. Cathy emerged as an affectionate short form in the English-speaking world and enjoyed particular popularity as an independent given name during the mid-twentieth century. Related forms include Kate, Katie, Karen, Kathryn, and the literary variant Cathy famously borne by the passionate heroine of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights.