Cathi
A girl's name of Greek origin with 2,536 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A 20th century spelling variant of Cathy, diminutive of the female given name Catherine.
Cathi is a girl's baby name of Greek origin, a variant spelling of Cathy, a diminutive of Catherine, meaning 'pure.' The -i ending was a popular affectation of the 1960s and 1970s, giving familiar nicknames a fresh typographic twist.
EtymologyShow more
Cathi first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1942. Arriving in the 1940s, Cathi appeared during a period when American naming was beginning to diversify beyond the traditional Anglo-Saxon and biblical pools.
Its Greek classification suggests a path from greek linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Cathi has 48+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1942.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 5 | #13296 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 103 | #6535 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 292 | #2997 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 986 | #1164 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 956 | #1067 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 194 | #2214 | — |
The Story of Cathi
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1961, Cathi is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Cathi are most likely born between 1951 and 1971.
How rare is Cathi?
With 2,536 total births on record, Cathi remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1942, peaked in the 1960s with 986 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Cathi by the numbers
- Would fill 53 school buses
- Meeting one Cathi per day would take 6.9 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(48 years, 1942–1990)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 5 | #13296 |
| 1988 | 12 | #6333 |
| 1987 | 9 | #7462 |
| 1986 | 12 | #5814 |
| 1985 | 5 | #10911 |
| 1984 | 7 | #8289 |
| 1983 | 11 | #5877 |
| 1982 | 13 | #5250 |
| 1981 | 14 | #5006 |
| 1980 | 20 | #3870 |
| 1979 | 22 | #3555 |
| 1978 | 17 | #4100 |
| 1977 | 16 | #4257 |
| 1976 | 27 | #2804 |
| 1975 | 13 | #4624 |
| 1974 | 31 | #2443 |
| 1973 | 28 | #2577 |
| 1972 | 40 | #1994 |
| 1971 | 46 | #1879 |
| 1970 | 52 | #1739 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cathi a boy's or girl's name?
When was Cathi most popular?
How popular is the name Cathi?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1942–1990