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Catherine

♀ Girl

Pronounced KATH-er-in /ˈkæθ.ər.ɪn/High

Meaning: From the Greek name Aikaterine, later associated with the Greek word 'katharos', meaning pure or unsullied. The Latin form Catharina spread it through medieval Christendom.High

In 30 seconds: Catherine is one of history's most enduring royal and saintly names, worn by empresses, queens, and saints across a thousand years. Its timeless elegance never goes out of style.
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Origin HighGreek, Latin
MeaningFrom the Greek name Aikaterine, later associated with the Greek word 'katharos', meaning pure or unsullied. The Latin form Catharina spread it through medieval Christendom.
U.S. rank (2025)#314 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births972 girls (0.06% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1956
Total births (all-time)≈ 667,774

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195618802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

The name traces to the Greek Aikaterine, whose precise origin is debated — it may derive from Hekate, the Greek goddess, or was later folk-etymologized to katharos (pure). Saint Catherine of Alexandria, martyred around 305 CE, became one of the most venerated saints of the medieval church, propelling the name to extraordinary popularity across Europe. The Latin church standardized the spelling Catharina.

Catherine or Katherine became the name of six of Henry VIII's wives and paramours, two of Aragon's most famous queens, and Russia's greatest empress. The English spelling Catherine (with a C) competed with Katherine (with a K) throughout the centuries, with both remaining in common use. In the twenty-first century, Catherine received renewed attention with Catherine, Princess of Wales (born Catherine Middleton), ensuring the name's continued prestige.

Did you know? The name Catherine has been borne by more royals than almost any other: six of Henry VIII's contemporaries, Empress Catherine the Great of Russia, and Catherine, Princess of Wales — spanning five centuries of monarchy.
Overall data confidence 95%
Behind the Name: Catherine — Full etymology and spelling historyOxford Dictionary of First Names — Historical usage across European languages

Variations

KatherineKatharineKathrynKatarinaEkaterinaCaterinaKatrinaKateKatie

Nicknames

KateKatieCatCathyKitty

Famous Bearers

  • ★Catherine of Aragon (1485–1536)
    First wife of King Henry VIII of England and Queen of England.
  • ★Catherine the Great (Catherine II of Russia) (1729–1796)
    Empress of Russia, the longest-ruling female leader in Russian history.
  • ★Catherine, Princess of Wales (1982–)
    British royalty, wife of Prince William, Prince of Wales.

If you like Catherine…

Katherine— alternate spelling of the same name, equally classic and royal
Eleanor— timeless English royal name of similar length and classic elegance
Margaret— historic saint and royal name with overlapping cultural prestige and era

Frequently Asked

What does the name Catherine mean?

Catherine means 'pure', derived from the Greek word katharos via the name Aikaterine.

How do you pronounce Catherine?

Catherine is pronounced KATH-er-in (/ˈkæθ.ər.ɪn/), with three syllables and stress on the first.

Is Catherine a boy or girl name?

Catherine is a girl's name with an unbroken history of exclusively feminine use.

How popular is Catherine?

Catherine has been a top-100 name in the US for most of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and remains a perennial classic.