Girl · 1101st of 27,321
Cathryn
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
16,322
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1956
Peak Popularity Year
368
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Cathryn stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
Jump to a section
Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Cathryn is a name with Greek origins, derived from Aikaterine, which means 'pure'. It has evolved through several languages, including Latin and Old French, before becoming popular in modern English. The name is associated with qualities of elegance and sophistication, and has no biblical background. Its historical usage has increased since the 20th century, and it has various derivatives and variants.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkæθrɪn/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
Cathryn is a variant of Katherine, which is derived from the Greek name 'Aikaterine'. The exact meaning of Aikaterine is debated, but it is often associated with the Greek word 'katharos', meaning 'pure'.
Meaning
pure
Language Evolution
Aikaterine (Greek), Catherine (Latin), Katherine (Old French), Cathryn (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Cathryn gained popularity in the 20th century as a variant of Katherine, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
Catherine, Katherine, Catharine, Katie, Kitty
Modern Popularity & Image
Cathryn is perceived as a classic and elegant name, often associated with sophistication and grace.
Famous People
Cathryn Michon (American actress and writer), Cathryn B. Davis (American politician)
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 368 peak births in 1956
Geographic Spread
Popular across 40 US states, with strongest presence in Illinois
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
Catharine
Catheline
Catheren
Catherene
Catherin
Catherine
Catherline
Cathern
Catherne
Catheryn
Catheryne
Cathirine
Cathrina
Cathrine
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 | 647th of 9107 | 2,216 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 758th of 9204 | 1,647 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 555th of 12526 | 5,352 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 896th of 19264 | 2,386 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1101st of 27321 | 2,468 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1964th of 35406 | 1,569 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 4229th of 30306 | 410 |