How to say it
KATH · er · ine
ˈkæθ.ə.rɪn
Feminine
Katherine
Pure
What it means
Greek katharos, 'pure.' Saint Catherine of Alexandria (the wheel) is the medieval anchor. The Catherine/Katherine/Kathryn spelling tree is one of English's deepest.
Katherine comes from the Greek Aikaterinē, traditionally analyzed as built on katharos ('pure'), though the original Greek may instead trace to Hecate, the moon goddess. Saint Catherine of Alexandria (a 4th-century scholar martyred on a spiked wheel) gave the medieval cult its central figure; Catherine wheels (the firework and the architectural ornament) are both named for her. Three of Henry VIII's six wives were Catherines (Aragon, Howard, Parr). Catherine the Great of Russia ruled 1762-1796. The spelling tree is unusually wide: Katherine, Catherine, Kathryn, Katharine, Catharina, Caterina. Each carries slight signal. The nickname tree is just as deep: Kate, Katie, Kathy, Kat, Cathy, Trina, Karina.
How to spell Katherine
The standard spelling is Katherine. Common variants include Catherine, Kathryn, Katharine, Caterina, but Katherine is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #25 in 1991, currently #186 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Katherine, Catherine, Kathryn, and Katharine all carry slightly different signals (Catherine reads more European, Kathryn more mid-century American, Katherine the most flexible). Pick before the birth certificate.
- Nickname
Kate, Katie, Kathy, Kat, Cathy, Trina, and the European Karina all circulate. Kate has the longest run as standalone.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Saint Catherine of Alexandria 4th-century martyred scholar, namesake of Catherine wheels
- Catherine the Great Empress of Russia 1762-1796, the longest-ruling female Russian monarch
- Catherine Middleton Princess of Wales, Prince William's wife (Catherine spelling)
- Katharine Hepburn Four-time Best Actress Oscar winner, the most-awarded acting Oscar holder
Spelling variants
- Catherine
- Kathryn
- Katharine
- Caterina
Names with the same feeling
See Katherine from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Katherine mean?
- Greek katharos, 'pure.' Saint Catherine of Alexandria (the wheel) is the medieval anchor. The Catherine/Katherine/Kathryn spelling tree is one of English's deepest.
- What does Katherine mean in Greek?
- In Greek, Katherine means "Pure." Katherine comes from the Greek Aikaterinē, traditionally analyzed as built on katharos ('pure'), though the original Greek may instead trace to Hecate, the moon goddess. Saint Catherine of Alexandria (a 4th-century scholar martyred on a spiked wheel) gave the medieval cult its central figure; Catherine wheels (the firework and the architectural ornament) are both named for her. Three of Henry VIII's six wives were Catherines (Aragon, Howard, Parr). Catherine the Great of Russia ruled 1762-1796. The spelling tree is unusually wide: Katherine, Catherine, Kathryn, Katharine, Catharina, Caterina. Each carries slight signal. The nickname tree is just as deep: Kate, Katie, Kathy, Kat, Cathy, Trina, Karina.
- How do you pronounce Katherine?
- Katherine is pronounced ˈkæθ.ə.rɪn. Say it as KATH-er-ine, with the stress on the "kath" syllable.
- How do you spell Katherine?
- The standard spelling is Katherine. Common spelling variants include Catherine, Kathryn, Katharine, Caterina.
- Is Katherine a boy or girl name?
- Katherine is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Katherine?
- Katherine ranked #186 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.