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NamyLab

Catherine

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Pure"

From Greek Aikaterine with debated origins but long associated with purity, it spread through saints and royal lineages across Europe.

Themes:puregreeksaintclassic
BiblicalRoyalRegal

Fact-checked by Dr. Elena Vasquez

Ph.D. Medieval History, StanfordPublished Academic ResearcherHistory Professor (Adjunct) • Historical Names Consultant

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Catherine

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#320Top 500

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#320

Catherine was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
+10

better than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Catherine Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Catherine.

12 ideas
Kate
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Katie
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Cat
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Cathy
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caty
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cath
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cy
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co
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cie
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rine
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iney
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they
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Baby Name Lists That Include Catherine

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Catherine, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

21 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Catherine mean?
Catherine means "Pure". From Greek Aikaterine with debated origins but long associated with purity, it spread through saints and royal lineages
What is the origin of Catherine?
Catherine is of Greek origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Catherine?
According to the latest SSA data, Catherine is currently ranked #320 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Catherine a girl name?
Catherine is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Catherine?
Popular nicknames for Catherine include Kate, Katie, Cat, Cathy, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Catherine?
There are many names similar to Catherine in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginGreek, French, English
Syllables3
Length9 letters
US Rank#320
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withC

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Catherine

Catherine has Greek roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Greek baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Catherine appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Biblical Baby Names and Royal Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Classic Greek Baby Names and French Baby Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Catherine pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Catherine beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.