Katey is a diminutive spelling of Katie, from Katherine, traditionally meaning "pure."
Katey is a lively, affectionate spelling variant of Katie, itself a diminutive of Kate, which is the short form of Katherine — one of the most enduringly popular names in the entire Western tradition. Katherine derives, through Latin *Catharina*, from the Greek *Aikaterine*, a name of disputed etymology: some scholars connect it to the Greek *katharos* (pure, clean), while others suggest pre-Greek origins. Whatever its source, the name became enormously influential through the legend of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, the early Christian martyr famous for her eloquence and learning, whose veneration spread across medieval Europe with remarkable intensity.
The Katharine/Catherine family of names has been borne by an extraordinary roster of historical figures: six of Henry VIII's wives included two Catherines, Catherine of Aragon and Catherine Howard; Catherine the Great ruled Russia with imperial force for over three decades; Catherine de' Medici shaped the French court for a generation. In literature, Kate is perhaps most famously the spirited "shrew" of Shakespeare's *The Taming of the Shrew*, a character whose fierce intelligence has made her a touchstone of debate about gender and interpretation for four centuries. Katey, specifically, carries the informal warmth of the -ey suffix, which softens the name toward the cozy and approachable.
Actress Katey Sagal — beloved for *Married... with Children* and *Sons of Anarchy* — is the name's most prominent modern bearer and has given it a contemporary cultural anchor. The spelling distinguishes itself from the more common Katie while keeping the same bright, energetic sound: a name that feels both classic and casually modern.