Katie

Katie is a familiar form of Katherine that is also used as a full given name. Katherine has long been associated with the Greek word for pure, although its earliest origin is uncertain. Katie inherits that traditional association through the name family rather than being a separate Greek word itself.

Katy is the closest spelling comparison, while Kate offers a shorter one-syllable option. Katie keeps the affectionate two-syllable shape without requiring Katherine on official documents. A family may choose it directly to honor someone who was always known by the nickname, preserving the everyday name rather than a formal version the relative rarely used.