Katie

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAY-tee /ˈkeɪ.ti/High

Meaning: Diminutive of Katherine, from Greek Aikaterine, possibly from katharos meaning pure or clear; the diminutive Katie has been used as an independent given name since the 19th centuryHigh

In 30 seconds: A bright, friendly diminutive of Katherine, Katie has been a warmly popular given name in its own right for over a century, carrying cheerful energy and timeless appeal.

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Origin HighGreek, English

MeaningDiminutive of Katherine, from Greek Aikaterine, possibly from katharos meaning pure or clear; the diminutive Katie has been used as an independent given name since the 19th century

U.S. rank (2025)#646 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births447 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1986

Total births (all-time)≈ 241,235

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Katie is a diminutive of Katherine, itself from the Greek Aikaterine. The etymology of Aikaterine is debated — it may derive from katharos (pure) or from an earlier name of unknown origin. Katherine was borne by Saint Catherine of Alexandria (whose historicity is debated) and became enormously popular across medieval Europe. Katie as a standalone name emerged in the 19th century English-speaking world.

Katie peaked in the United States in the 1980s and 1990s but has maintained steady use as both a standalone name and a nickname. It has been a persistent top-100 name in the U.S. for girls. Notable bearers include journalist Katie Couric and athlete Katie Ledecky. The name projects friendliness and approachability while still carrying the weight of the Katherine tradition.

Did you know? More than a dozen canonized saints bore the name Katherine in various forms — making Katie, as a diminutive of Katherine, one of the most saint-rich names in Christendom.

Overall data confidence 93%

Behind the Name — Katie — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

KateKatyKateyKatherine

Nicknames

KateKat

Famous Bearers

★Katie Couric (1957–present)
American television journalist and news anchor.
★Katie Ledecky (1997–present)
American competitive swimmer and multiple Olympic gold medalist.

If you like Katie…

Kate— direct shorter form of the same root with the same crisp, classic feel

Kelly— shares the same friendly, two-syllable English girl-name energy

Kaylee— fellow Kay- name with the same bright, approachable character

Carly— another cheerful two-syllable girl's name from the same mid-century appeal bracket

Frequently Asked

What does the name Katie mean?

Katie is a diminutive of Katherine, from Greek meaning pure or clear. It carries the full meaning and heritage of the Katherine family of names.

How do you pronounce Katie?

It is said KAY-tee /ˈkeɪ.ti/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Katie short for Katherine?

Yes, Katie is traditionally a nickname for Katherine or Kate, but it is also widely used as a standalone given name.

How popular is Katie?

Katie was a top-100 girls' name in the United States through much of the 1980s and 1990s and remains in steady use today.