Katherine
Katherine is a Christian girl name of Greek origin, meaning “Of uncertain meaning; linked to 'pure'”.
| Meaning | Of uncertain meaning; linked to 'pure' |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Greek |
| Written as | Αἰκατερίνη |
| Pronunciation | KATH-er-in |
| Tradition | Christian |
| Used in | Worldwide |
Meaning and origin of Katherine
Katherine comes from the Greek Aikaterine, whose origin is uncertain; it may be connected with Hekate or with hekateros, 'each of the two'. Early Christians linked it to katharos, 'pure', which shaped the spelling with 'th'. Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a legendary martyr, spread the name through medieval Europe. Bearers include Katherine of Aragon and actress Katharine Hepburn. English uses Katherine, Catherine, Katharine and Kathryn almost interchangeably.
Is Katherine a Christian name?
Katherine is a Christian name honoured through Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Saint Catherine of Siena, a Doctor of the Church; it does not appear in the Bible.
How popular is Katherine?
A lasting classic across the English-speaking world and Europe.
Gifts with the name Katherine
- Katherine name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Katherine baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Katherine
Names similar to Katherine
More Christian girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Katherine mean?
Katherine means 'Of uncertain meaning; linked to 'pure''. It is of Greek origin.
Is Katherine a Christian name?
Katherine is a Christian name honoured through Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Saint Catherine of Siena, a Doctor of the Church; it does not appear in the Bible.
How do you pronounce Katherine?
Katherine is pronounced KATH-er-in.
Is Katherine a boy or girl name?
Katherine is usually a girl name.