Girl · 57th of 27,321
Kathryn
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
456,128
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1952
Peak Popularity Year
8,517
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Kathryn 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
The name Kathryn has Greek origins, meaning 'pure.' It evolved from Aikaterine to Catherine, then to Katherine, and finally to its modern form, Kathryn. The name is often associated with elegance and strength, and it gained popularity in the Middle Ages due to the influence of Saint Catherine. There are several variants and derivatives of the name, and it remains a classic choice today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkæθrɪn/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Kathryn is derived from the Greek name 'Aikaterine,' which is thought to be related to the Greek word 'katharos,' meaning 'pure.'
Meaning
pure
Language Evolution
Aikaterine (Greek), Catherine (Latin/French), Katherine (Middle English), Kathryn (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly due to the veneration of Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
Variants & Derivatives
Catherine, Katherine, Kate, Katie, Kat
Modern Popularity & Image
Kathryn is perceived as a classic and timeless name, often associated with elegance and strength.
Famous People
Kathryn Hepburn (actress), Kathryn Bigelow (film director), Kathryn Janeway (fictional character from Star Trek)
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:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 8,517 peak births in 1952
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Iowa
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 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
Katharine
Katharyn
Katharyne
Katheine
Katheline
Katheren
Katherene
Katherin
Katherine
Katherinne
Katherleen
Katherlene
Katherline
Kathern
Katheryn
Katheryne
Kathrine
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 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3182nd of 7545 | 108 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2498th of 6773 | 170 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2225th of 7552 | 252 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2923rd of 10718 | 190 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3021st of 16616 | 305 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 11754th of 24088 | 60 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 72nd of 9107 | 65,523 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 104th of 9204 | 47,828 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 65th of 12526 | 128,079 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 94th of 19264 | 61,002 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 57th of 27321 | 92,931 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 133rd of 35406 | 41,406 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 444th of 30306 | 8,617 |