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Katy
♀ Girl
Pronounced KAY-tee /ˈkeɪ.ti/High
Meaning: pureHigh
In 30 seconds: Katy is a cheerful diminutive of Katherine meaning pure. A bright friendly two-syllable name with vintage charm and global recognition through singer Katy Perry.
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Meaningpure
U.S. rank (2025)#2709 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births64 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1987
Total births (all-time)≈ 20,950
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Katy is a diminutive of Katherine, from the Greek Aikaterine meaning pure. It has been in use as a given name in English-speaking countries since at least the 18th century.
Katy was very popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and experienced a revival through Katy Perry's fame.
Did you know? Katy Perry (born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson) has made Katy one of the most globally recognized names of the 21st century — from California Girls to Roar.
Overall data confidence 88%
Behind the Name: Katy — name etymology referenceUS Social Security Name Database — U.S. popularity data
Variations
KateKatherineKatieKatey
Nicknames
Kay
Famous Bearers
- ★Katy Perry (1984–present)American pop singer-songwriter (born Katheryn Hudson) known for hits including Roar and I Kissed a Girl.
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By meaningPurity
Frequently Asked
What does Katy mean?
Katy means pure.
How do you pronounce Katy?
Katy is pronounced KAY-tee (/ˈkeɪ.ti/), with 2 syllables.
Is Katy a girl's name?
Yes, Katy is used as a girl's name.
How popular is the name Katy?
Diminutive of Katherine; pure meaning well established.