What origin is the name Catherine?

Catherine comes from greek naming traditions. Names from this origin often carry meanings tied to nature, virtues or heritage.

Is Catherine a popular name?

Catherine is very rare in official US birth records — fewer than 5 babies of this gender were given the name in any year we checked.

What are good brother names for Catherine?

Names from the same greek tradition pair naturally with Catherine — for example Alexander, Christopher, Lucas. You can browse more on our greek names page.

Catherine

Q: Is Catherine a rare name?

Yes. Catherine does not appear in US Social Security birth records, which list every name given to at least 5 babies, so it is rare in the US.

Discover the meaning and origin of the name Catherine

Catherine

Unisex

greek

4 syllables

Catherine is a greek unisex name meaning "Pure, virginal; variant of katherine: pure. clear. innocent. from the gaelic form caitlin; pure, clear. form of the latin katharina, from the greek aikaterina. it was borne by a number of saints, including st catherine of alexandria, a 4th century martyr who suffered torture on a spiked wheel".

With greek roots, Catherine is a unisex name that means "Pure, virginal; variant of katherine: pure. clear. innocent. from the gaelic form caitlin; pure, clear. form of the latin katharina, from the greek aikaterina. it was borne by a number of saints, including st catherine of alexandria, a 4th century martyr who suffered torture on a spiked wheel". At 9 letters it is a longer name, which leaves room for a nickname. It has 4 syllables.

Origin: greek
Gender: Unisex
Syllables: 4

Meaning compiled from public name lists.

Meaning

Pure, virginal; variant of katherine: pure. clear. innocent. from the gaelic form caitlin; pure, clear. form of the latin katharina, from the greek aikaterina. it was borne by a number of saints, including st catherine of alexandria, a 4th century martyr who suffered torture on a spiked wheel

Popularity

Very rare in US records (source: US Social Security Administration birth records (best rank 2008–2017))

Nicknames & short forms

Kate

Cathy

Quick answers about Catherine

Very rare in US records

What does Catherine mean?

Catherine is a unisex name of greek origin meaning "Pure, virginal; variant of katherine: pure. clear. innocent. from the gaelic form caitlin; pure, clear. form of the latin katharina, from the greek aikaterina. it was borne by a number of saints, including st catherine of alexandria, a 4th century martyr who suffered torture on a spiked wheel".