English

Alternative forms

• Cathi, Cathie, Cathy
• Kathi, Kathie

Proper noun

Kathy

1. A diminutive of the female given names Katherine, Kathleen, and related names; also used as a formal given name.
   • 1991 Margaret Atwood: Wilderness Tips ISBN 0385 421060 : page 36:

     During her childhood she was a romanticized Katherine, dressed by her misty-eyed, fussy mother in dresses that looked like ruffled pillowcases. By high school she'd shed the frills and emerged as a bouncy, round-faced Kathy - - - At university she was Kath, blunt and no-bullshit in her Take-Back-the-Night jeans and checked shirt - - - When she ran away to England, she sliced herself down to Kat. It was economical, street-feline, and pointed as a nail.