Katherine
Katherine Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/ˈkæθ.ə.ɹɪn/
Meaning of Katherine: The name Katherine derives from Greek Aikaterine, whose original meaning etymologists still debate. Early Christian writers linked the name to Greek katharos meaning "pure," a folk etymology that stuck through medieval Europe even though the true root may come from the older Greek goddess Hecate.
Furthermore, Katherine gained medieval prestige through Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a fourth-century martyr among the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Later queens named Catherine included Catherine of Aragon, Catherine de' Medici, and Catherine the Great of Russia, giving the name royal weight from the 12th to the 18th century.
Notably, Katherine peaked in the United States in 1991 at rank 38, then held within the top 100 until 2012 before easing. The 2024 figure sits at rank 175 with 1,740 births recorded by the Social Security Administration under this spelling alone.
What Does Katherine Mean? Origin & Etymology
Across languages, spelling variants include Catherine (French), Caterina (Italian), Catalina (Spanish), Katarina (Scandinavian and Slavic), Ekaterina (Russian), Kateryna (Ukrainian), and Katharina (German). The saint lineage keeps each form in active use across Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox communities.
The key finding here is stylistic: Katherine appears most often in Virginia, Connecticut, and Massachusetts as of 2024, reflecting Atlantic-seaboard affinity for classical feminine names alongside siblings such as Elizabeth, Caroline, and Margaret.
Pronunciation in American English follows KATH-rin, with stress on the opening syllable and a three-syllable flow often reduced to two. Common nicknames include Kate, Katie, Kat, Kathy, Kay, and Rin, giving parents many daily options while keeping the full traditional form.
How Popular Is Katherine?
Numerology & Symbolism of Katherine
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Katherine – Similar Names & Alternatives
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity
Frequently Asked Questions about Katherine
What does the name Katherine mean?
Katherine derives from English roots. The name ranked #175 in the US in 2024, with 1,740 girls receiving it that year.
Where does the name Katherine come from?
Katherine originates from English. It developed as a given name from an English surname or vocabulary word with a long history of use. It ranked #175 in 2024 in the US.
Is Katherine a popular name?
Katherine ranked #175 among US girls’ names in 2024, with 1,740 births recorded by the SSA. The name peaked at #25 in 1991. It has maintained a consistent presence in the US top 1000 for several decades.