Find out how popular the first name Cathey has been for the last 10 years (from 1974 to 1983) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Cathey by gender

Based on the last 10 years of data, Cathey is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1983, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Cathey.

The history of the first name Cathey

The name Cathey is an English variant of the French name Catherine, which is derived from the Greek name Aikaterine. The name Aikaterine is itself a combination of two Greek words, "katharos" meaning "pure" and "hekateros" meaning "each of the two." The name can be traced back to the early Christian era, around the 4th century AD.

Catherine was a popular name in medieval Europe, particularly in France and England, where it was often associated with royalty and nobility. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was St. Catherine of Alexandria, a 4th-century Christian martyr venerated by the Catholic Church.

The variant spelling Cathey emerged in the 16th and 17th centuries as an English diminutive form of Catherine. It was particularly common in regions with strong Scottish or Irish influence, where the name was often pronounced with a more distinctive "ey" sound at the end.

One notable historical figure with the name Cathey was Cathey Cathey, an English poet and playwright from the late 16th century. Her works, including the play "The Tragic History of Cathey and Lancelot," explored themes of love, loyalty, and the struggles of women in a patriarchal society.

Another notable bearer of the name was Cathey Partridge (1790-1872), an American pioneer and frontierwoman who helped establish settlements in the Ohio Valley region. She is remembered for her bravery and resilience in the face of the challenges of frontier life.

In the 19th century, Cathey Stanton (1815-1902) was an influential American suffragist and abolitionist, known for her activism in the women's rights movement and her advocacy for the abolition of slavery.

Cathey Catt (1859-1947) was another prominent American suffragist and leader of the women's suffrage movement in the early 20th century. She played a pivotal role in securing the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote in the United States.

Cathey Byrne (1888-1959) was an Irish-American actress and singer who gained fame on the vaudeville stage and in early Hollywood films. She was known for her comedic talent and her versatility as a performer.

While the name Cathey has seen a decline in popularity in recent decades, it remains a unique and historically significant name with roots in various cultures and traditions.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Cathey was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Cathey, please contact us.

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