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At a Glance: Name: Katherine – Meaning: traditionally 'pure' (Greek), though the true root is disputed – Origin: Greek (via Catherine) – Gender: Girl – Pronunciation: KATH-rin
Katherine is a Greek name that came to English by way of Catherine, traditionally interpreted as meaning 'pure' — though scholars still debate the name's true root. Said KATH-rin, it carries a romantic, storybook, timeless, classic feel that's kept it a familiar name for generations. If you're drawn to vintage names with old-world roots, it's worth a close look.
Meaning & Origin of Katherine
Meaning: Traditionally 'pure' (greek), though the true root is disputed.
Origin: Greek (via Catherine).
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Katherine
Phonetic: KATH-rin IPA: /ˈkæθrɪn/
Popularity of Katherine
Katherine has been recorded in Social Security data every year from 1880 to 2024, peaking at #25 in 1991 with 11,495 babies given the name. By 2024 it had settled to #175, with 1,740 babies — still a steady presence, just far from its early-90s high.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.
Make Katherine Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Katherine, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Katherine mean?
Traditionally ‘pure’ (greek), though the true root is disputed. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Katherine)
How do you pronounce Katherine?
Katherine is pronounced KATH-rin (IPA: /ˈkæθrɪn/).
Is Katherine a popular name right now?
Katherine peaked at #25 in 1991 and is ranked #175 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
📊 How popular is Katherine? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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