Kathyann is a unique and uncommon feminine given name of Scottish origin. The name is derived from the Scottish surname "Katharine" which means "pure" or "clear". It is believed to have originated from the Greek word "katharos" meaning pure, and was later associated with the early Christian martyr Saint Katherine.
The name Kathyann has a long history dating back to ancient times. According to legend, Saint Katherine was a beautiful and intelligent woman who became a Christian in secret. She refused to marry unless her future husband could answer her questions about faith and philosophy. Her suitor, a powerful pagan, brought scholars to debate with her but she outwitted them all. As a result, she was arrested and sentenced to death on the wheel, which miraculously broke apart when she touched it. She was eventually beheaded but, according to tradition, an angel carried her body to Mount Sinai where it rests today.
Over time, the name Katherine became popular in Europe during the Middle Ages due to the veneration of Saint Katherine as a patron saint of learners and scholars. The variant spelling Kathyann is thought to have emerged more recently, perhaps as a creative adaptation of the traditional name by parents seeking something distinctive for their daughter.
In summary, Kathyann is a rare and distinctive feminine given name of Scottish origin that means "pure" or "clear". It has a long history dating back to ancient times and is associated with Saint Katherine, an early Christian martyr whose legend has inspired generations of Christians. Today, the name Kathyann may be chosen by parents seeking something unique and meaningful for their daughter.
The name Kathyann has been a presence on the Social Security Administration's list of baby names in the United States since at least 1951, and it continues to appear sporadically up until 1981. During this period, there were a total of 171 babies named Kathyann born in the United States.
The name's popularity fluctuated throughout these years. The highest number of births occurred in 1960 with 15 newborns given the name Kathyann. Conversely, the lowest occurred in 1981 with only 5 newborns bearing this name. Interestingly, there were no recorded births for the year 1955.
Despite these fluctuations and the lack of data for a few years, it is clear that Kathyann was not an exceptionally popular name during this period. It was, however, a unique choice as it does not appear to have been among the top 1000 names for any given year.
It's fascinating to observe how the popularity of certain names can vary over time and how some names, like Kathyann, remain relatively uncommon but nonetheless present throughout decades.