Catherine
Catherine is a Christian girl name of Greek origin, meaning “Uncertain; associated with 'pure'”.
| Meaning | Uncertain; associated with 'pure' |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Greek |
| Written as | Αἰκατερίνη |
| Pronunciation | KATH-er-in |
| Tradition | Christian |
| Used in | Worldwide |
Meaning and origin of Catherine
Catherine comes from Greek Aikaterine, whose origin is unknown. It was early linked to katharos, 'pure', which led to the Latin spelling Katharina. The name spread through veneration of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a martyr whose wheel became her emblem. It was borne by Saint Catherine of Siena, by three wives of Henry VIII, and by Catherine the Great of Russia. Kate, Katie and Cathy are common short forms.
Is Catherine a Christian name?
Catherine is a major Christian saint's name, borne by Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Saint Catherine of Siena, a Doctor of the Church.
How popular is Catherine?
A timeless classic across Europe and the English-speaking world.
Gifts with the name Catherine
- Catherine name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Catherine baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Catherine
Names similar to Catherine
More Christian girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Catherine mean?
Catherine means 'Uncertain; associated with 'pure''. It is of Greek origin.
Is Catherine a Christian name?
Catherine is a major Christian saint's name, borne by Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Saint Catherine of Siena, a Doctor of the Church.
How do you pronounce Catherine?
Catherine is pronounced KATH-er-in.
Is Catherine a boy or girl name?
Catherine is usually a girl name.