Girl · 420th of 9,107
Catharine
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
12,994
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1915
Peak Popularity Year
281
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Catharine stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Catharine is a name of Greek origin, meaning 'pure' or 'unsullied'. It evolved through various languages from Aikaterine in Greek through to its current form in English. The name is associated with traits of elegance and tradition and has biblical relevance through the figure of Saint Catherine. It has maintained a steady popularity over the centuries.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkæθəˌrin/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Catharine is derived from the Greek name 'Aikaterine', which is believed to mean 'pure' or 'unsullied'. The name has been associated with the Greek word 'katharos', meaning 'pure'.
Meaning
pure, unsullied
Language Evolution
Aikaterine (Greek), Catherine (Old French), Catharina (Latin), Catharine (English)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly after the veneration of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a Christian martyr. It became common in various forms across Europe.
Variants & Derivatives
Catherine, Katherine, Kathryn, Katie, Kitty
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Catharine is seen as a classic and elegant name, often associated with sophistication and tradition. It maintains a steady popularity in various cultures.
Famous People
Catherine the Great, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Catherine Deneuve, Saint Catherine of Alexandria
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 281 peak births in 1915
Geographic Spread
Popular across 29 US states, with strongest presence in Pennsylvania
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 41 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Cahterine
Catheline
Catheren
Catherene
Catherin
Catherine
Catherline
Cathern
Catherne
Catheryn
Catheryne
Cathirine
Cathrina
Cathrine
Cathryn
Cathyrn
Chatherine
Katharine
Katharyn
Katharyne
Katheine
Katheline
Katheren
Katherene
Katherin
Katherine
Katherinne
Katherleen
Katherlene
Katherline
Kathern
Katheryn
Katheryne
Kathrine
Kathryn
Kathryne
Kathrynne
Kathyrine
Kathyrn
Kathyrne
Ktherine
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 7 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 420th of 9107 | 4,506 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 764th of 9204 | 1,622 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 883rd of 12526 | 2,457 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1339th of 19264 | 1,317 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1950th of 27321 | 1,043 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4135th of 35406 | 535 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 9386th of 30306 | 131 |