Katherine Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Katherine Name Meaning

Fact: Katherine appears in many French literary works, including Alexandre Dumas’ “La Reine Margot,” where Catherine de’ Medici is a central character.

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A Deep Dive

Katherine Overview

Meaning

Pure

Gender

Girl

Origin

Greek

Etymology

Derived from the Greek name “Aikaterine,” with debated origins possibly meaning “pure”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈkæθ.ər.ɪn/

Popularity

Katherine is highly favored in English-speaking countries, especially in the UK, the USA, and Australia. In 2023, Katherine ranked #158 for girls in the USA.

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

9 letters

Numerology

1 (Pioneering, Independent, Leading)

Name Styles

Classic, Traditional, Popular

Associated Traits

Classic, graceful, poised

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Associated with Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a Christian martyr and scholar.

Name Day

November 25 (Catholic)
A Deep Dive

Katherine Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Catherine, Kathryn, Katrina, Catarina, Katarina, Catriona, Katerina, Katya, Kathleen, Catalina

Common Nicknames

Kate, Katie, Katy, Kathy, Kitty, Kaye, Rina, Kiki, Kitty Kat

Diminutives

Kath, Kat, Kit, Kay, Cate, Cat

Famous People

  • Katherine Hepburn
    (American Actress)
  • Katherine Johnson
    (American Mathematician)
  • Katherine Mansfield
    (New Zealand Writer)
  • Katherine McNamara
    (American Actress)
  • Katherine Langford
    (Australian Actress)
  • Katherine Jenkins
    (Welsh Singer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Katherine Pierce
    ("The Vampire Diaries," TV Series)
  • "Katherine"
    (Novel by Anya Seton)
  • Katherine Johnson
    ("Hidden Figures," Film)
  • "Katherine's Wish"
    (Children's Book)
  • Katherine Watson
    ("Mona Lisa Smile," Film)
  • "Katherine" (Album

Places

  • Katherine Town
    (Northern Territory, Australia)
  • Katherine River
    (Northern Territory, Australia)
  • St. Katherine's Dock
    (London, England)

What Is the Meaning of Katherine?

Katherine means “pure” or “clear.” Often hinting at a personality characterized by integrity and sincerity, exuding an aura of honesty and clarity.

What Is the Origin of The Name Katherine?

Katherine originated from the Greek name “Aikaterine,” which is believed to be derived from “katharos,” meaning “pure.” It gained prominence through early Christian saints.

Katherine Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Katherine in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#1572021#1662022#1692023
Top 3 Rankings#251991#261989#261990

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Katherine

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023169
(-3 from 2022)
1697
(-39 from 2022)
0.09702
2022166
(-9 from 2021)
1736
(-83 from 2021)
0.09682
2021157
(-21 from 2020)
1819
(-170 from 2020)
0.10153
2020136
(-16 from 2019)
1989
(-461 from 2019)
0.11252
2019120
(-8 from 2018)
2450
(-226 from 2018)
0.13352
2018112
(-7 from 2017)
2676
(-184 from 2017)
0.14390
2017105
(-14 from 2016)
2860
(-414 from 2016)
0.15139
201691
(-7 from 2015)
3274
(-180 from 2015)
0.16912
201584
(-2 from 2014)
3454
(-234 from 2014)
0.17705
201482
(-5 from 2013)
3688
(-35 from 2013)
0.18852
201377
(-13 from 2012)
3723
(-229 from 2012)
0.19313
201264
(-3 from 2011)
3952
(-237 from 2011)
0.20377
201161
(+9 from 2010)
4189
(+320 from 2010)
0.21619
201070
(-10 from 2009)
3869
(-562 from 2009)
0.19733
200960
(-15 from 2008)
4431
(-919 from 2008)
0.21881
200845
(-6 from 2007)
5350
(-468 from 2007)
0.25686
200739
(-2 from 2006)
5818
(-477 from 2006)
0.27489
200637
(-1 from 2005)
6295
(-97 from 2005)
0.30112
200536
(-1 from 2004)
6392
(-347 from 2004)
0.31494
200435
No change from 2003
6739
(-386 from 2003)
0.33398
200335
(+1 from 2002)
7125
(-87 from 2002)
0.35511
200236
(-1 from 2001)
7212
(-668 from 2001)
0.36516
200135
(-2 from 2000)
7880
(-229 from 2000)
0.39779
200033
(+3 from 1999)
8109
(+174 from 1999)
0.40631
199936
(-3 from 1998)
7935
(-269 from 1998)
0.40759
199833
(-1 from 1997)
8204
(-313 from 1997)
0.42321
199732
(-1 from 1996)
8517
(-359 from 1996)
0.44609
199631
(-1 from 1995)
8876
(-110 from 1995)
0.46296
199530
No change from 1994
8986
(-600 from 1994)
0.46764
199430
(-1 from 1993)
9586
(-920 from 1993)
0.49175
199329
(-2 from 1992)
10506
(-643 from 1992)
0.53288
199227
(-2 from 1991)
11149
(-346 from 1991)
0.55615
199125
(+1 from 1990)
11495
(-131 from 1990)
0.56530
199026
No change from 1989
11626
(+211 from 1989)
0.56591
198926
(+1 from 1988)
11415
(+261 from 1988)
0.57299
198827
(+1 from 1987)
11154
(+717 from 1987)
0.58000
198728
No change from 1986
10437
(-133 from 1986)
0.55687
198628
(+4 from 1985)
10570
(+439 from 1985)
0.57275
198532
(-2 from 1984)
10131
(-24 from 1984)
0.54871
198430
(+4 from 1983)
10155
(+473 from 1983)
0.56313
198334
(+2 from 1982)
9682
(+501 from 1982)
0.54099
198236
(+3 from 1981)
9181
(+748 from 1981)
0.50604
198139
(-4 from 1980)
8433
(+415 from 1980)
0.47151
198035
(+1 from 1979)
8018
(+552 from 1979)
0.45029
197936
(+2 from 1978)
7466
(+841 from 1978)
0.43324
197838
(+6 from 1977)
6625
(+596 from 1977)
0.40301
197744
(+13 from 1976)
6029
(+976 from 1976)
0.36650
197657
(+1 from 1975)
5053
(+201 from 1975)
0.32146
197558
(+4 from 1974)
4852
(+320 from 1974)
0.31085
197462
(+2 from 1973)
4532
(+112 from 1973)
0.28935
197364
(+5 from 1972)
4420
(-92 from 1972)
0.28441
197269
(-2 from 1971)
4512
(-611 from 1971)
0.27980
197167
No change from 1970
5123
(-319 from 1970)
0.29231
197067
(+3 from 1969)
5442
(+275 from 1969)
0.29708
196970
(+5 from 1968)
5167
(+452 from 1968)
0.29312
196875
(+1 from 1967)
4715
(+154 from 1967)
0.27578
196776
(+2 from 1966)
4561
(+69 from 1966)
0.26566
196678
(+1 from 1965)
4492
(-214 from 1965)
0.25584
196579
(+3 from 1964)
4706
(-367 from 1964)
0.25752
196482
(+5 from 1963)
5073
(-52 from 1963)
0.25918
196387
(-4 from 1962)
5125
(-147 from 1962)
0.25779
196283
(+3 from 1961)
5272
(-359 from 1961)
0.26010
196186
(-5 from 1960)
5631
(-243 from 1960)
0.27109
196081
(-2 from 1959)
5874
(-264 from 1959)
0.28244
195979
(-5 from 1958)
6138
(-295 from 1958)
0.29529
195874
(-2 from 1957)
6433
(-203 from 1957)
0.31141
195772
(-5 from 1956)
6636
(-444 from 1956)
0.31628
195667
(-2 from 1955)
7080
(-159 from 1955)
0.34377
195565
(-1 from 1954)
7239
(+498 from 1954)
0.36107
195464
(-1 from 1953)
6741
(+182 from 1953)
0.33860
195363
(-4 from 1952)
6559
(-332 from 1952)
0.33993
195259
(-4 from 1951)
6891
(-39 from 1951)
0.36230
195155
(+3 from 1950)
6930
(+725 from 1950)
0.37515
195058
No change from 1949
6205
(+166 from 1949)
0.35285
194958
(+10 from 1948)
6039
(+870 from 1948)
0.34400
194868
(+8 from 1947)
5169
(+284 from 1947)
0.29661
194776
(+2 from 1946)
4885
(+689 from 1946)
0.26872
194678
(+4 from 1945)
4196
(+804 from 1945)
0.26015
194582
(-5 from 1944)
3392
(-133 from 1944)
0.25199
194477
(+1 from 1943)
3525
(-91 from 1943)
0.25795
194378
(+3 from 1942)
3616
(+240 from 1942)
0.25192
194281
(+4 from 1941)
3376
(+372 from 1941)
0.24279
194185
(+6 from 1940)
3004
(+295 from 1940)
0.24109
194091
(+10 from 1939)
2709
(+233 from 1939)
0.22931
1939101
(+4 from 1938)
2476
(-99 from 1938)
0.21833
1938105
(-2 from 1937)
2575
(+91 from 1937)
0.22559
1937103
(-3 from 1936)
2484
(+129 from 1936)
0.22544
1936100
(+3 from 1935)
2355
(+15 from 1935)
0.21855
1935103
(-2 from 1934)
2340
(-48 from 1934)
0.21532
1934101
(-1 from 1933)
2388
(+58 from 1933)
0.22063
1933100
(-5 from 1932)
2330
(-259 from 1932)
0.22275
193295
(-3 from 1931)
2589
(-34 from 1931)
0.23402
193192
(-7 from 1930)
2623
(-410 from 1930)
0.23765
193085
(-1 from 1929)
3033
(+17 from 1929)
0.26002
192984
(-9 from 1928)
3016
(-382 from 1928)
0.26055
192875
(-2 from 1927)
3398
(-326 from 1927)
0.28422
192773
(-1 from 1926)
3724
(-110 from 1926)
0.30119
192672
(-11 from 1925)
3834
(-406 from 1925)
0.31166
192561
(-2 from 1924)
4240
(-455 from 1924)
0.33569
192459
(+1 from 1923)
4695
(+116 from 1923)
0.36236
192360
(-6 from 1922)
4579
(-248 from 1922)
0.36560
192254
(-5 from 1921)
4827
(-329 from 1921)
0.38691
192149
(-4 from 1920)
5156
(-120 from 1920)
0.40290
192045
(+6 from 1919)
5276
(+430 from 1919)
0.42410
191951
(-1 from 1918)
4846
(-345 from 1918)
0.41255
191850
(-1 from 1917)
5191
(+235 from 1917)
0.43174
191749
(+2 from 1916)
4956
(+155 from 1916)
0.44105
191651
(-2 from 1915)
4801
(+313 from 1915)
0.44220
191549
(-1 from 1914)
4488
(+836 from 1914)
0.43834
191448
(+6 from 1913)
3652
(+858 from 1913)
0.45843
191354
(-1 from 1912)
2794
(+248 from 1912)
0.42662
191253
(+2 from 1911)
2546
(+688 from 1911)
0.43394
191155
(+2 from 1910)
1858
(+106 from 1910)
0.42054
191057
(-4 from 1909)
1752
(+195 from 1909)
0.41761
190953
(+2 from 1908)
1557
(+127 from 1908)
0.42299
190855
No change from 1907
1430
(+17 from 1907)
0.40335
190755
(+1 from 1906)
1413
(+136 from 1906)
0.41875
190656
(+7 from 1905)
1277
(+87 from 1905)
0.40742
190563
No change from 1904
1190
(+62 from 1904)
0.38404
190463
(+3 from 1903)
1128
(+113 from 1903)
0.38573
190366
(+2 from 1902)
1015
(+11 from 1902)
0.36485
190268
(+3 from 1901)
1004
(+114 from 1901)
0.35815
190171
(-6 from 1900)
890
(-311 from 1900)
0.35008
190065
No change from 1899
1201
(+259 from 1899)
0.37798
189965
(+4 from 1898)
942
(+28 from 1898)
0.38062
189869
(-4 from 1897)
914
(-48 from 1897)
0.33340
189765
(-4 from 1896)
962
(-85 from 1896)
0.38747
189661
(+4 from 1895)
1047
(+79 from 1895)
0.41549
189565
(-1 from 1894)
968
(+20 from 1894)
0.39173
189464
(-2 from 1893)
948
(-15 from 1893)
0.40174
189362
(-2 from 1892)
963
(+2 from 1892)
0.42756
189260
(+2 from 1891)
961
(+158 from 1891)
0.42728
189162
(-3 from 1890)
803
(-97 from 1890)
0.40851
189059
(-3 from 1889)
900
(+11 from 1889)
0.44629
188956
No change from 1888
889
(-4 from 1888)
0.46983
188856
(-3 from 1887)
893
(+99 from 1887)
0.47138
188753
(+1 from 1886)
794
(+50 from 1886)
0.51086
188654
(-4 from 1885)
744
(-7 from 1885)
0.48395
188550
(+5 from 1884)
751
(+80 from 1884)
0.52907
188455
(+1 from 1883)
671
(+88 from 1883)
0.48770
188356
(-4 from 1882)
583
(-8 from 1882)
0.48559
188252
No change from 1881
591
(+87 from 1881)
0.51083
188152
(+1 from 1880)
504
(+2 from 1880)
0.50984
188053
First SSA data recorded
502
First SSA data recorded
0.51432

American States Popularity Rankings for Katherine

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#1332021#1462022#1632023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#1782021#1622022#3002023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#1092021#1202022#932023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#1662021#1712022#1942023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#2072021#2212022#2362023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#2352021#2842022#2702023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#2492021#3192022#2852023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#1362021#1192022#2192023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#1082021#1352022#1502023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#1832021#2092022#2442023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#2332021#1982022#2822023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#1442021#1462022#1042023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#1362021#1572022#1142023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#1912021#1642022#1712023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#1202021#2102022#1352023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#2362021#2622022#3562023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#2182021#2032022#2902023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#1452021#1992022#1492023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#2352021#3882022#2652023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#2342021#2932022#3122023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#2012021#1502022#1942023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#1312021#1082022#1572023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#2022021#1352022#1522023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#1222021#962022#1052023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#1852021#2132022#1062023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#1982021#2842022#2322023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#1902021#2312022#2622023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#1132021#1482022#1152023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#1932021#2032022#1882023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#1672021#1212022#1932023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#1962021#2072022#2582023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#4082021#1382022#2802023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#3332021#1572022#1382023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2162020#2052021#1572023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1512021#1142022#1972023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#2352021#2082022#2592023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#1792021#1832022#2002023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1392020#1582021#912023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1002019#1482020#1492023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3622020#1572021#2912023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#922018#2042020#1652022

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1502017#1592018#1472019

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2982021#3402022#1832023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1722018#2162019#2182021

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2032015#1992016#2312018

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2022018#2332019#1442022

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#1962021#1692022#2472023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#902011#802016#822017

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1572018#1592019#832020

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#632016#1342018#1512023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#522007#1122011#622015

Popularity Rankings for Katherine in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Medieval England

Medieval England flagMedieval England#141377-1381

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#282012

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#881997#871998#812000

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#1052020#1122021

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1902015#1792016#1722017

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1761998#1931999#1972006

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#3702014#2172015#1852018

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2742018#2642019#3152021

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3332020#3502021#2662022

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#3072021#4682022#5172023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#3761995#5941997#3262001

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3992020#4422021#3652023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#4392020#7452021#6012022

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#6242015#5002016#4582023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#4852019#5452020#4782021

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#5172021#7472022#8562023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#9832003#8522009#9532011

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Katherine a Name for Boys or Girls?

Katherine is used for girls. The classic and sophisticated nature, enriched by Greek origins, has made it a beloved option for daughters.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Katherine

Katherine in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Katherine Hepburn (Actress, 1907–2003): An American actress known for her headstrong independence and leading roles in classic films like "The African Queen" and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner."
  • Katherine Johnson (Mathematician, 1918–2020): An American mathematician whose calculations of orbital mechanics were critical to the success of NASA's space missions.
  • Katherine Mansfield (Writer, 1888–1923): A New Zealand modernist short story writer known for works such as "The Garden Party" and "Bliss."
  • Katherine McNamara (Actress, born 1995): An American actress recognized for her roles in "Shadowhunters" and "Arrow."
  • Katherine Langford (Actress, born 1996): An Australian actress best known for her role as Hannah Baker in the Netflix series "13 Reasons Why."
  • Katherine Jenkins (Singer, born 1980): A Welsh mezzo-soprano singer known for her classical and crossover music albums.
  • Katherine Schwarzenegger (Author, born 1989): An American author and the daughter of Arnold Schwarzenegger, known for her books on self-help and children's literature.
  • Katherine Anne Porter (Writer, 1890–1980): An American journalist, essayist, and short story writer, best known for her novel "Ship of Fools."
  • Katherine Pierce ("The Vampire Diaries," 2009 TV Series): A manipulative and powerful vampire with a complex history and a central role in the series' supernatural drama.
  • "Katherine" (1975 Novel by Anya Seton): A historical romance novel following the life of Katherine Swynford, a real-life figure from medieval England.
  • Katherine Johnson ("Hidden Figures," 2016 Film): A brilliant mathematician who played a crucial role in NASA's early space missions, breaking barriers for African-American women.
  • "Katherine's Wish" (2008 Children's Book): A heartwarming tale about a young girl named Katherine who makes a magical wish that changes her life.
  • Katherine Watson ("Mona Lisa Smile," 2003 Film): An art history professor challenging the traditional roles of women at Wellesley College in the 1950s.
  • "Katherine" (2010 Album): A collection of soulful and introspective songs inspired by the character Katherine, exploring themes of love and self-discovery.
  • Katherine Brooke ("Anne of Green Gables," 1985 TV Series): A stern teacher at a girls' school who eventually softens and becomes a friend to Anne Shirley.
  • Katherine Minola ("The Taming of the Shrew," Play by William Shakespeare): A headstrong and independent woman who undergoes a controversial transformation in this classic comedy.
  • "Katherine's Garden" (2015 Children's Book): Follows Katherine, a young girl who discovers a magical garden that teaches her valuable life lessons.
  • Katherine Anne Porter ("Ship of Fools," 1962 Novel): A famous American author known for her literary works, with "Ship of Fools" being one of her most notable novels.
  • Katherine Town (Northern Territory, Australia): A town located in the Northern Territory, serving as a regional center for the area.
  • Katherine River (Northern Territory, Australia): A river flowing through the Northern Territory, famous for its stunning gorges and natural beauty.
  • Katherine Park (Queensland, Australia): A public park providing recreational facilities and green space in Queensland.
  • St. Katherine's Dock (London, England): A historical dock and marina situated in central London, offering dining and leisure activities.
  • Katherine Field (New South Wales, Australia): A locality in New South Wales known for its agricultural landscape.

Similar Names to Katherine