Katherine Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Katherine originates from the Greek name Aikaterine, which means 'pure.' It has evolved through various languages, including Latin and Old French, and has been used in English since the Middle Ages. The name is associated with traits of elegance and strength, and while there is no direct biblical relevance, it has a rich historical background. Katherine remains a popular name, with several common variants and notable bearers.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Katherine"
Pronunciation
/ˈkæθərɪn/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Katherine is derived from the Greek name 'Aikaterine,' which is believed to be related to the Greek word 'katharos,' meaning 'pure.'
Meaning
pure
Language Evolution
Aikaterine (Greek), Catherine (Latin), Katherine (Old French), Katherine (Middle English)
Historical Usage
Katherine gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly in England and France, due to the influence of saints and royalty bearing the name.
Variants & Derivatives
Catherine, Kathryn, Kitty, Kate, Kathy
Modern Popularity & Image
Katherine remains a popular name today, often associated with elegance and strength, and is viewed positively in many cultures.
Famous People
Katherine Hepburn, Katherine Johnson, Kate Middleton, Katherine Langford
📊 Katherine Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 11,659 peak births in 1990
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Alaska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Katherine" - Complete Guide (41 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Katherine". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 41 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Katherine" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Katherine"
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 of "Katherine"
"Katherine" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2027th of 7545 | 249 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1992nd of 6773 | 248 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2078th of 7552 | 287 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2166th of 10718 | 302 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1984th of 16616 | 557 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 7113th of 24088 | 155 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 17702nd of 23106 | 16 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 54th of 9107 | 84,119 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 98th of 9204 | 51,229 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 72nd of 12526 | 114,120 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 62nd of 19264 | 85,711 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 29th of 27321 | 163,386 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 36th of 35406 | 102,023 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 112th of 30306 | 31,119 |
Regional Popularity of "Katherine" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
67.94% 1651st/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
57.51% 1689th/2937 |
63.82% 2223rd/3483 |
- |
60.78% 2458th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
50.15% 2244th/4475 |
34.71% 1803rd/5194 |
28.87% 1824th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
50.91% 3723rd/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Katherine" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
4.59% 65th/1416 |
3.48% 48th/1379 |
2.49% 59th/2366 |
4.12% 47th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
6.21% 96th/1546 |
5.59% 87th/1556 |
4.12% 97th/2353 |
5.11% 79th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
3.41% 76th/2227 |
3.21% 78th/2430 |
2.73% 78th/2853 |
1.80% 50th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
1.94% 57th/2937 |
1.92% 67th/3483 |
1.79% 63rd/3518 |
1.38% 56th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
0.73% 27th/3685 |
0.54% 24th/4475 |
0.58% 30th/5194 |
0.49% 31st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
0.98% 45th/4582 |
0.60% 31st/5164 |
0.48% 35th/7313 |
0.59% 44th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
3.61% 144th/3984 |
2.67% 120th/4487 |
1.35% 92nd/6822 |
1.86% 117th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Katherine"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Katherine" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Katherine" in the United States
The name Katherine is most popular in Alaska, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been gradually declining. From 2020-2022, Katherine has been stalled for male in MidWest, falling for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too rising for female in South, stalled for male in West, falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, too rising for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too rising for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too rising for female in South, stalled for male in West, too rising for female in West. Across generations, 'Katherine' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2027th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1992nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2078th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2166th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1984th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 7113th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 17702nd out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 54th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 98th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 72nd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 62nd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 29th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 36th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 112th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Katherine' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.