Name Catherine

Catherine is a feminine name with Greek origins. It is considered a ubiquitous name that has experienced moderate growth in popularity recently.

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Meaning of the name Catherine

Origins and Core Meaning

The name Catherine originates from the Greek word "katharos", meaning "pure". It symbolizes innocence, virtue, and holiness. In Christianity, Catherine of Alexandria was a revered saint known for her intelligence and unwavering faith, which further contributed to the name's positive connotations.

Detailed Insights on Catherine

Origins

Greek, meaning "pure".

Symbolic Representation

As a symbol of purity, Catherine is often associated with the lily flower, representing innocence and grace. The wheel, an instrument of torture in Catherine of Alexandria's legend, has also become a symbol associated with her name, representing triumph over adversity.

Personality Traits

The name Catherine evokes a sense of purity, grace, and gentle strength. It conveys a quiet confidence, an unwavering belief in the good, and a deep connection to spirituality.

Key Personality Traits

Personal Meanings of the Name Catherine

  • Catherine may be derived from the Ancient Egyptian words Ka and Hathor. Ka is Egyptian for soul, Hathor is the name of the Egyptian goddess of love. En or n would be used in Ancient Egypt for of. So Ka-Hathor-En would translate to Soul of Hathor (goddess of love).

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  • Catherine was not a name known in the British islands until it was introduced by the French speaking Normans in 1066, before that names were Celtic in origin. This name was originally Greek and spelt with a "K". Katherine of Alexandria was a popular saint and her devotees spread the use of the name throughout mainland Europe. The French wrote it with a "C" because "K" was very rare at that time in the French language (due to being very rare in Latin) and even rarer in Old English (a Germanic language). So when it came to the British isles it was always spelt with a "C".
    In the USA however the root name was introduced via many cultures, many still using "K"as the fist letter. This explains why "C" is used in France and Great Britain and Ireland and is considered the "traditional" spelling, while Americans do not use the C spelling quite as much.

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  • I’m a Katherine, and also love this spelling.
    For people who call a name like this “old” and “basic”, I feel like they have more personality than Braelyn or Emyrsyn. They have a history. I love that. Go classic names!

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Catherine Overview & Analysis

Gender statistics

Catherine is predominantly a girl's name with a strong feminine identity. Among 673,635 people named Catherine, 673,425 are female and 210 are male resulting in a 99.969% female distribution. This pronounced gender imbalance underscores the name Catherine's strong feminine identity.

Data Explanation

This data is sourced from actual birth records, ensuring that the statistics provided are accurate reflections of real naming trends. The percentage has been rounded up for easier readability, but the underlying figures are grounded in factual data, not estimates. This ensures that the information is both reliable and user-friendly, giving a clear and truthful picture of the name Catherine's gender association.

Popularity

Catherine classified as an ubiquitous name and ranks 93 in the Namedary database. It has experienced moderate growth over the years, and experienced moderate growth recently. The chance of meeting someone named Catherine is nearly 0.19%, or about one in 500+ people.

Popularity and Usage Trends for Catherine

Based on the latest data from 2021 (4,880), 2022 (977), 2023 (956), Catherine's year-to-year percentage change in popularity is -2.15%. The name Catherine was most popular in 1956, making up 0.31% of baby names (or about one in 300+ babies), and reached its lowest point in 2022 with a usage rate of 0.02%.

Country-Specific Prevalence
Catherine Popularity by Country
FlagCountryRankPopularity
New Zealand520.31%
Canada550.31%
Australia600.34%
United States900.19%
United Kingdom2380.09%

People named Catherine are predominantly found in Australia (AU), particularly in New South Wales (NWS), where it makes up 0.38% of the population.

Data Source

The data in this section was gathered from a variety of sources, including:

To enhance readability, percentages are rounded up. Values less than 0.0015% have been omitted.

Additional Information on Catherine

Pronunciation and Phonetics

Name
Catherine
Pronunciation
  • KATH-rin
  • Cather-ine
  • Cath-er-ine
  • K-AE-th-uh-r-ih-n
  • KATH-uh-rin
IPA Notation
kæˈθɚʌn
Syllable
Chinese Translation of the Name Catherine
Translation
凯瑟琳
Pronunce
(PinYin) : kǎi sè lín
Feng Shui
WoodWoodWood
Catherine in Numerology
Catherine: Name to Numerology Conversion
CATHERINE
1595
32895

Applying the rules of numerology (Pythagorean numerology):

Catherine's Soul Number (Heart's Desire Number): Number 2

  • You aspire to be a cooperative mediator who promotes peace and harmony in the community.
  • You desire to thrive in a harmonious environment where everyone feels happy.
  • You are driven by love, harmony, friendship, and relationships in life. You seek to support, nurture, love, and heal others.

Catherine's Expression Number (Personality Number): Number 9

  • You prioritize humor while slightly downplaying seriousness.
  • Exercise caution to prevent misplaced jests and superficial banter.
  • Demonstrate adaptability in all aspects of life.
  • Embrace greater determination to accomplish tasks in this life, striking a balance between seriousness and lightheartedness.

Catherine's Destiny Number (Life Path Number): Number 11

  • You are ambitious, conciliatory, and friendly.
  • You possess exceptional communication skills.
  • You are extroverted and driven, making great leaders with astute business minds.
Famous People Named Catherine
  • Catherine of Alexandria (3rd-century saint known for her intelligence and unwavering faith)
  • Catherine the Great (18th-century Empress of Russia known for her Enlightenment ideals and expansion of the Russian Empire)
  • Catherine Zeta-Jones (Welsh actress known for her roles in "Chicago" and "Traffic")

User-Submitted Information about Catherine

  • In 2018, 54 is the most common age for an American (U.S.) Catherine who is registered female with the Social Security Administration. It is the 106th most common female first name for living U.S. citizens.

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  • Pronounced Cath-Er-in.

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  • Catherine Allen Latimer (1896 – 1948) was the New York Public Library's first African-American librarian. She was a notable authority on bibliographies of African-American life and instrumental in forming the library's Division of Negro History, Literature and Prints.

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Conclusion

The name Catherine embodies a harmonious blend of virtue, spirituality, and resilience. It evokes a sense of serenity, purity, and unwavering faith, making it a timeless and cherished name that continues to inspire and enchant.

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