Cathy

Cathy is an English diminutive of Catherine, which derives through Latin and Greek from the name Aikaterine, whose ultimate origin remains uncertain; it has been associated with the Greek word katharos, meaning pure, though this connection may be a later folk etymology. The name gained wide use across Europe partly through the veneration of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a early Christian martyr. Cathy enjoyed particular popularity as a given name in its own right during the mid-twentieth century in English-speaking countries. Related forms include Kathy, Kate, Katherine, and Kathleen.