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Kateri

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAH-tə-ree /ˈkɑ.tə.ri/Medium

Meaning: Mohawk form of Catherine — Greek katharos, 'pure' — borne by St. Kateri TekakwithaHigh

In 30 seconds: Pure, and sacred to two worlds: Kateri is the Mohawk Catherine — 'pure' — borne by St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American saint. Devout and distinctive.

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Origin HighMohawk, Greek

MeaningMohawk form of Catherine — Greek katharos, 'pure' — borne by St. Kateri Tekakwitha

U.S. rank (2025)#4406 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births32 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1980

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,530

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Kateri is the Mohawk rendering of Catherine — Greek katharos, 'pure'. It is forever linked to St. Kateri Tekakwitha (1656–1680), canonized in 2012 as the first Native American saint.

It appears in Catholic and Indigenous families. Rare, pure at the root, and saintly.

Did you know? St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the 'Lily of the Mohawks', became the first Indigenous North American saint in 2012 — making this Catherine-form a name of deep reverence.

Overall data confidence 85%

References — St. Kateri Tekakwitha — name history

Variations

CatherineKatharineCaterina

Nicknames

KatTeri

Famous Bearers

★St. Kateri Tekakwitha (1656–1680)
First Native American Catholic saint.

If you like Kateri…

Catherine— the name it renders

Katarina— a fellow Catherine form

Katie— a companion Cath- pet name

Cora— another devout vintage pick

Explore names like Kateri

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By meaningPurity Bird

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kateri mean?

Kateri is the Mohawk form of Catherine, Greek for 'pure'.

How do you pronounce Kateri?

It's said KAH-tə-ree /ˈkɑ.tə.ri/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kateri a boy or girl name?

Kateri is a girl's name.

How popular is Kateri?

Kateri is a rare name in the U.S.