Katy is a name of English origin that has been popular for centuries. It is a derivative of the name Katherine, which itself comes from the Greek word "katharos," meaning pure or clear. The name Katy is often associated with the concept of purity and innocence, as it shares this meaning with its longer form.
The name Katy first gained prominence in the Middle Ages when it was used by several historical figures. One of the most notable examples is Saint Catherine of Siena, a 14th-century Italian Dominican tertiary who is remembered for her mystical experiences and her work in promoting peace between city-states. In England, Katherine Swynford, a lady-in-waiting to Philippa of Lancaster, became notorious for her affair with John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster, and eventually married him after his first wife's death.
Throughout history, Katy has been associated with various cultural references. For instance, in literature, it is the name of the protagonist in Charlotte Brontë's novel "Jane Eyre," who is often called Katie or Katy by some characters. In music, Katy Perry is a popular singer-songwriter known for hits like "Firework" and "Roar.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Kate has had a varied history of popularity over the years in the United States. The earliest data point is from 1890, with five babies being named Kate that year. This number remained steady at five births per year until 1905.
Thereafter, there was an increase in popularity, with six births each in 1907 and 1912, reaching eleven births both in 1916 and 1919. However, the trend declined again between 1920 and 1934, with a consistent average of five to seven births per year.
The name Kate's popularity began to rise significantly from the mid-1970s onwards. In 1975, there were eight births, followed by nine in 1976 and eleven each in 1978 and 1979. This upward trend continued into the 1980s with double-digit numbers of babies named Kate every year from 1981 to 1987.
The peak popularity for the name Kate was reached in 1986 and 1987, with sixteen births each year. This high level of popularity continued until 1992 but started to decline afterwards, reaching as low as five births per year by 2009.
Despite fluctuations over time, the total number of babies named Kate in the United States is a substantial 478, indicating that this name has been and continues to be a popular choice for parents.