Kathe
A girl's name of Greek origin with 1,077 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
vocative singular of kathā
Kathe is a girl's baby name of Greek origin, a German short form of Katharina — the German form of Katherine, from the Greek Aikaterinē meaning 'pure.' Kathe is used as a standalone name throughout German-speaking countries, carrying the same classical authority as Katherine in a more compact form.
German artist Käthe Kollwitz, whose powerful expressionist prints depicted the struggles of working-class life, made the spelling Käthe iconic in the art world. This anglicized form, Kathe, carries the same quiet strength and moral seriousness as its most famous bearer.
EtymologyShow more
Kathe first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1940. Its appearance in the 1940s coincides with waves of immigration, cultural exchange, and the early decades of American popular culture — all of which introduced and popularized new names.
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
Kathe has 43+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1940.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 11 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 16 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 21 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 39 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 208 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 442 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 340 | — |
The Story of Kathe
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1951, Kathe is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Kathe are most likely born between 1941 and 1961.
How rare is Kathe?
With 1,077 total births on record, Kathe remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1940, peaked in the 1950s with 442 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Kathe by the numbers
- Would fill 22 school buses
- Meeting one Kathe per day would take 3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(43 years, 1940–2005)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | #17816 |
| 2001 | 6 | #14406 |
| 1995 | 5 | #14492 |
| 1992 | 6 | #12490 |
| 1990 | 5 | #14023 |
| 1987 | 5 | #12165 |
| 1983 | 5 | #11042 |
| 1982 | 6 | #9765 |
| 1981 | 5 | #11168 |
| 1975 | 7 | #7513 |
| 1974 | 6 | #8130 |
| 1971 | 12 | #4666 |
| 1970 | 14 | #4132 |
| 1969 | 9 | #5223 |
| 1968 | 11 | #4332 |
| 1967 | 15 | #3400 |
| 1966 | 24 | #2482 |
| 1965 | 15 | #3327 |
| 1964 | 17 | #3172 |
| 1963 | 18 | #3013 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kathe a boy's or girl's name?
When was Kathe most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1940–2005