Which Do You Prefer: Catherine/Cathy or Katherine/Kathy?

Social Security Administration Popular Baby Names

Catherine's best year was 1914, when it reached #18, the first of 3 times it cracked the top 20 during this decade.  After a modest decline, she experienced a slight resurgence in popularity, spending 2 years at #28 in 1955-56.

The diminutive Cathy made her debut in 1935, peaked at #34 in 1958, and dropped off the chart after 1991.

Although her rankings have been consistently respectable, Katherine played second fiddle to Catherine until 1973 and experienced her period of greatest popularity in the late 80s/early 90s, peaking at #25 in 1991.

The diminutive Kathy made her debut in 1932 (although she took the following year off), peaked at #14 in 1958, same as her counterpart Cathy, and dropped off the chart after 2008.

The Everly Brothers prefer Cathy.


Simon & Garfunkle like Kathy.


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