Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • All Collections
      • Census & Voter Lists
      • Birth, Marriage & Death
      • Military
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      • Support Centre
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2006-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company

      Meaning of the first name
      Cat

      Origin 
      English

      Meaning 
      Diminutive form of Catherine

      Variations 
      Cate, Cato, Cathy

      *Some content has been generated by an artificial intelligence language model, in combination with data sourced from Ancestry records and provided by BabyNames.com.
      The name Cat finds its origins in the English language and serves as a diminutive form of Catherine. Catherine is derived from the Greek name Aikaterine, meaning pure or clear. Over time, this name evolved into various forms across different languages and cultures, including the shortened version, Cat.

      In recorded history, the name Cat traces its roots back to medieval England, where it was commonly used as a nickname for women named Catherine. During this period, nicknames often served as informal alternatives to given names and were frequently employed within close-knit communities. As time went on, Cat maintained its popularity, accompanying the enduring name Catherine through the centuries. In modern-day usage, Cat appears as a standalone name as well as a nickname, with individuals deliberately choosing it or with families continuing to pass it down through generations.

      Today, this name continues to hold a sense of familiarity and affection. Although its usage is not as prevalent as some other names, it remains present in various forms in society. Whether it is individuals named Catherine using Cat as a nickname among their peers or parents specifically opting for Cat as a given name for their child, it finds its place in contemporary usage with a nod to its historical roots.
      Based on our records...
      This is the most common surname, spouse name and child name associated with Cat.
      Murphy

      is the most common surname for Cat.

      John

      is the most common spouse name for Cat.

      Mary

      is the most common child name for Cat.

      Start your curiosity engines.

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Free Trial
      Order Ancestry
      did_you_know_bar
      Based on our records...
      Did you know?
      1824 is when there were the most people born with the first name Cat.

      We'll guide you through the process of building and growing your tree

      Explore the origins of another name.