Cathi
A 20th century spelling variant of Cathy, diminutive of the female given name Catherine.
Every Cathi since 1942 — 2,536 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Cathi
Cathi is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1942, 2,536 American babies have been named Cathi. Its peak came in 1961, when 162 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Cathi stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Cathi year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | 5 | #13,295 |
| 1985 | 5 | #10,910 |
| 1980 | 20 | #3,870 |
| 1975 | 13 | #4,625 |
| 1970 | 52 | #1,739 |
| 1965 | 75 | #1,243 |
| 1960 | 151 | #843 |
| 1955 | 64 | #1,262 |
| 1950 | 45 | #1,365 |
| 1945 | 10 | #2,942 |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cathi mean?
A 20th century spelling variant of Cathy, diminutive of the female given name Catherine.
How popular is the name Cathi in 2025?
Cathi did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Cathi?
2,536 babies have been named Cathi in the United States since 1942, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Cathi most popular?
Cathi peaked in 1961, when 162 newborns received the name.
Is Cathi a boy or girl name?
Cathi is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Cathi rising or falling?
Cathi has been roughly stable over the past decade.