Cathie is a diminutive of Catherine, itself a French form of Katherine. The name ultimately traces back to the Greek Αἰκατερίνη (Aikaterine), whose etymology is debated. Possible origins include the Greek ἑκάτερος (hekateros) meaning "each of the two", the goddess Hecate, or a Coptic name meaning "my consecration of your name". In early Christian times, the spelling was influenced by the Greek καθαρός (katharos) meaning "pure", leading to the spellings Katharina and Catherine. The name gained popularity through Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a 4th-century martyr tortured on a spiked wheel, and crusaders brought it to Western Europe. It has been common in England since the 12th century and remains widely used. Notable Bearers While Cathie is a relatively modern diminutive, it has been borne by various notable individuals. Given name bearers include: Cathie Black (born 1944), American educator and former head of Hearst Magazines Cathie Pelletier (born 1953), American novelist Cathie Jung, world record holder for the thinnest waist Cathie Adams (born 1950), American politician from Texas Cathie Craigie (born 1954), Scottish Labour politician As a surname, the name appears in figures such as Bruce Cathie, a New Zealand aviator and writer known for his work on harmonic theories. Related Forms Other diminutives of Catherine include Cat, Cathy, Kate, Kit, Kittie, and Kitty. Variants in other languages include Katerina (Russian), Katalin (Hungarian), and Katsiaryna (Belarusian). Key Facts Meaning: Diminutive of Catherine Origin: English Type: Feminine given name Usage Regions: English-speaking countries