Katherine comes from the Greek Aikaterine. Nobody knows for certain what it originally meant, but early Christians linked it to katharos, "pure," and that association is why the spelling with an H became standard. Whether it's spelled Katherine, Catherine, Kathryn or Katharine, the nicknames are shared across all of them.
The name has been common in English for so long that its nicknames are part of the language's history. Shakespeare's Petruchio insists on calling Katherina "plain Kate" in The Taming of the Shrew. Jane Austen's Catherine Bennet is Kitty to her sisters in Pride and Prejudice. In the 20th century, Katharine Hepburn was Kate to the people who knew her, and Cate Blanchett made the C spelling of the short form famous.
The nicknames below are grouped by sound, from the crisp Kate family to the softer Kit and Kitty, and then the forms Katherine takes in other languages. They work for every spelling of the name. The generator above is set to Katherine, and it also recognizes the Catherine and Kathryn spellings, each with its own short forms.
The Kate family
The single most common way to shorten Katherine, with its friendlier variations.
- KateThe classic short form. Crisp, confident and centuries old.
- KatieKate with a friendly -ie ending. Warm and approachable.
- KatyAnother spelling of Katie, just as common.
- CateThe C spelling, natural for a Catherine. Cate Blanchett was born Catherine.
Kat, Kathy and Cathy
Short forms that keep more of the name's first syllable.
- KatSleek and modern, with a little edge.
- KathAn everyday, no-fuss short form.
- KathyKath with a -y ending. A mid-century American favorite.
- KathieAnother spelling of Kathy.
- CathyThe usual spelling for a Catherine.
Kit, Kitty and Kay
Older, softer forms with a vintage feel.
- KitAn old short form that works for Katherine and Christopher alike. Playful and gender-neutral.
- KittyKit with a -y ending. Catherine Bennet is Kitty in Pride and Prejudice.
- KayBuilt from the first letter. Simple and classic.
Katherine in other languages
Many of these started as nicknames and became names in their own right.
- KarenBegan as the Danish short form of Katherine.
- KatyaThe Russian pet form of Yekaterina.
- KatjaA German, Dutch and Scandinavian short form.
- KätheA traditional German short form, pronounced roughly KEH-tuh.
- KasiaThe Polish pet form of Katarzyna, pronounced KAH-sha.
- KaisaA Finnish short form of Katariina.
- CaitlinThe Irish form, from the Old French Cateline.
Choosing a Katherine nickname
- Match the spelling. A Catherine usually becomes Cate or Cathy with a C, and a Katherine becomes Kate or Kathy with a K.
- Kate and Katie are extremely common, so if you want something rarer, Kit, Kay or Käthe stand out more.
- Think ahead: Katie suits a child and many adults, while Kate or Kat can feel more grown-up at work.
- Kit and Kitty were once everyday nicknames and now feel vintage and a little unexpected.
Common questions
What is the most common nickname for Katherine?
Kate and Katie are the most familiar. Kat, Kathy and Cathy are also widely used, depending on the spelling and the generation.
Is Karen a nickname for Katherine?
Historically, yes. Karen started as the Danish short form of Katherine before spreading to English as a separate name in the 20th century.
Why is Kit a nickname for both Katherine and Christopher?
Kit has been a short form of both names for centuries. The playwright Christopher Marlowe was known as Kit, and Kit and Kitty have long been nicknames for Katherine.
Do Katherine and Catherine have the same nicknames?
Yes. The spelling usually follows the full name, so Catherine tends to give Cate and Cathy, and Katherine gives Kate and Kathy, but people choose whichever they like.