Girl
Greek
3 syllables
Katherine
KATH-er-in
/ˈkæθərɪn/
"The pure one" — a name of royal history, intellectual grace, and enduring strength
Katherine is one of the great classical names of the Western world, borne by empresses, queens, saints, and scholars across two millennia. Its Greek root Aikaterine connects it to the concept of purity, and it entered Europe through early Christian martyrs, most notably Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The name has never truly fallen out of fashion, maintaining a steady presence across centuries while offering a wealth of elegant nicknames—Kate, Katie, Kitty, Kat—that keep it feeling both timeless and adaptable.
Quick Facts
Letters9
SyllablesKath · er · ine
GenderGirl
OriginGreek
Root WordAikaterine
MeaningPure
PopularityPopular
Peak Year1994
Trend
→ Stable
Name DayNovember 25
Nicknames
KateKatieKatKittyKathyKayKath
About the Name Katherine
Katherine means 'pure' and derives from the ancient Greek name Aikaterine. While the exact origin of Aikaterine is debated, the most widely accepted interpretation links it to the Greek word katharos, meaning pure or clean. The name has carried associations of clarity, integrity, and spiritual devotion throughout its long history.
Katherine is one of the most consistently royal names in Western history. It has been borne by queens and empresses across Europe, including Catherine of Aragon, Catherine the Great of Russia, and more recently Catherine, Princess of Wales. Its royal pedigree adds a layer of dignity and authority to the name.
Katherines are often associated with intelligence, determination, and quiet confidence. The name projects an air of capability and refinement. People named Katherine tend to be thoughtful leaders who combine intellectual rigor with genuine warmth, earning deep respect from those around them.
Katherine has never dropped out of the top 200 US baby names in recorded history, making it one of the most consistently popular names in the English-speaking world. It peaked in the mid-1990s and has maintained a stable, prominent presence ever since.
Katherine is a strong, versatile name that pairs well with a wide variety of middle names. Classic pairings include Katherine Grace, Katherine Anne, Katherine Rose, and Katherine Elizabeth. For a more modern feel, Katherine Wren, Katherine Elise, or Katherine Celeste work beautifully.
Katherine originates from the Greek name Aikaterine, which was borne by early Christian martyrs and spread through Europe via the Roman Catholic Church's veneration of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The name took root across the continent in countless local forms—Katarina, Katarzyna, Ekaterina, Caitríona—and has been in continuous use in the English-speaking world since medieval times.
Personality of Katherine
Perceived character traits commonly associated with people named Katherine
Creativity
72%
Elegance
92%
Independence
84%
Intelligence
95%
Strength
88%
Warmth
78%
Famous People Named Katherine
K
Katherine Hepburn
Four-time Oscar-winning actress, Hollywood legend
C
Catherine the Great
Empress of Russia, one of history's most powerful rulers
K
Katherine Johnson
NASA mathematician whose calculations enabled the Apollo moon landings
K
Kate Middleton (Catherine)
Princess of Wales, future Queen Consort of the United Kingdom
K
Katherine Mansfield
Pioneering New Zealand modernist short story writer
Middle Names for Katherine
Beautiful combinations that flow well with Katherine
Katherine Grace
Katherine Anne
Katherine Elizabeth
Katherine Rose
Katherine Marie
Katherine Louise
Katherine Jane
Katherine Elise
Katherine Wren
Katherine Claire
Katherine Hope
Katherine Celeste
Names Similar to Katherine
Similar Sound
Similar Meaning
Sibling Name Ideas
History of Katherine
287 AD
Saint Catherine of Alexandria, one of the first bearers of the name, is martyred
1100s
Katherine spreads across Europe through the cult of Saint Catherine
1509
Katherine of Aragon becomes Queen of England as wife of Henry VIII
1762
Catherine the Great becomes Empress of Russia
2011
Catherine Middleton marries Prince William, reinvigorating the name's royal appeal
Numerology & Symbolism of Katherine
1
Destiny Number
Sum of all letters
2
Soul Urge
Sum of vowels
♍
Zodiac Affinity
Virgo
8
Lucky Number
Personal power digit
🎨
Lucky Color
Royal Blue
💎
Lucky Stone
Sapphire
🌸
Lucky Flower
White Lily
Katherine Around the World
How Katherine is written in different languages and scripts
كاثرين
Arabic
キャサリン
Japanese
Катерина
Russian
캐서린
Korean
凯瑟琳
Chinese
Αικατερίνη
Greek
कैथरीन
Hindi
קתרין
Hebrew
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