Catherine
Gender: Girl
Meaning: Pure and clear — unblemished goodness and transparent heart
Origin: Greek
Popularity: Ranked #314 in 2025 with 972 babies born.
History: From the Greek 'katharos' meaning pure. It has been borne by numerous saints, queens, and empresses, including Catherine the Great of Russia and three of Henry VIII's six wives. It is one of the most enduring classic names in Western culture.
Famous people named Catherine: Catherine Zeta-Jones (actress), Catherine the Great (Russian empress)
Name length: 9 letters
How common is Catherine? About 1 in 3,424 babies born in 2025 were named Catherine, or roughly 2.7 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Catherine
What does the name Catherine mean?
Catherine means “Pure and clear — unblemished goodness and transparent heart” from Greek roots.
What is the origin of the name Catherine?
Catherine has Greek origin. The traditional meaning is “Pure and clear — unblemished goodness and transparent heart”.
How popular is Catherine?
Catherine ranked #313 in 2025 — given to 972 babies that year.
When was Catherine most popular?
Catherine peaked in 1956 with 12,057 babies registered that year.
Is Catherine a boy or girl name?
Catherine is predominantly a girls' name — over 90% of Catherines in registered births are female.
Is the name Catherine rising or falling in popularity?
Catherine has fallen 46 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #267 in 2020 to #313 in 2025.
How long has Catherine been recorded?
Catherine appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.