Girl · 359th of 27,321
Katharine
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
41,215
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1982
Peak Popularity Year
947
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Katharine 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
The name Katharine has Greek origins, meaning 'pure'. It evolved through various forms in different languages, retaining its core meaning. Historically, it became popular due to saints and has a classic image today. There is no biblical relevance associated with it.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkæθəraɪn/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Katharine derives from the Greek word 'katharos', meaning 'pure'. It has been associated with several early saints, particularly Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
Meaning
pure
Language Evolution
Catherine (French), Katherine (Old French), Catarina (Portuguese), Caterina (Italian)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in Europe during the Middle Ages, largely due to the veneration of Saint Catherine, and it has remained a common name in various cultures.
Variants & Derivatives
Catherine, Katherine, Kate, Kitty, Kat
Modern Popularity & Image
Katharine is viewed as a classic and elegant name, often associated with intelligence and sophistication.
Famous People
Katharine Hepburn, Katharine Graham, Katharine of Aragon
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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
Moderately Popular name with 947 peak births in 1982
Geographic Spread
Popular across 48 US states, with strongest presence in Connecticut
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 8 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
Cathryn
Cathyrn
Chatherine
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 8 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 13786th of 16616 | 11 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 355th of 9107 | 6,135 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 500th of 9204 | 3,580 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 497th of 12526 | 6,563 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 517th of 19264 | 6,012 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 359th of 27321 | 11,424 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 896th of 35406 | 4,432 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2825th of 30306 | 724 |