Catharine
Catharine was not among the names given to 5 or more girls in 2025. Its best year was 1883, when it ranked 249th; the most babies were born in 1915 (281). More babies were named Catharine in the 1910s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Kathryn) variant of Catherine (origin uncertain) · Greek, English
- Rank in 2025
- Not rankedgirls
- Babies in 2025
- 0girls
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a girl’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 1915281 babies
- Total since 1880
- 12,994babies recorded
What does the name Catharine mean?
Catharine is a spelling of Kathryn, pronounced the same way, so it shares Kathryn's meaning and origin.
Kathryn is an English spelling of Catherine, as Wiktionary notes. Catherine goes back to Greek Aikaterine. DMNES calls its origin uncertain and says it is unrelated to katharos, pure, though that link later shaped the th spelling. Wiktionary lists other proposals, including the goddess Hecate. The 4th-century martyr Catherine of Alexandria became an extremely popular medieval saint, according to DMNES. Kathryn has been used in the US since 1880.
Αἰκατερίνη (Ancient Greek, “Katherine (origin uncertain)”)
How sure is this? Uncertain. DMNES: origin uncertain.
Other explanations you may read: Means 'pure' (Greek katharos). DMNES says the names are unrelated..
Related names: Catherine, Katherine, Kate, Katie, Kathy.
See also: Greek names.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Kathryn' (English section), Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0; facts restated, no text reused)
- Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, ed. S. L. Uckelman, Edition 2023 no. 1, s.v. 'Katherine', DMNES (Durham University)
- Wiktionary, entry 'Catherine' (English section), Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0; facts restated, no text reused)
- US Social Security Administration, national baby-name data 1880-2025 (yob*.txt), team3 computation of first year recorded, US Social Security Administration (public domain)
Catharine popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (girls) | Babies (girls) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2020 | #9,702 | 10 |
| 2010 | #6,015 | 22 |
| 2000 | #3,078 | 45 |
| 1990 | #1,736 | 84 |
| 1980 | #1,705 | 66 |
| 1970 | #1,088 | 109 |
| 1960 | #1,053 | 104 |
| 1950 | #720 | 142 |
| 1940 | #849 | 71 |
| 1930 | #661 | 108 |
| 1920 | #475 | 205 |
| 1910 | #332 | 139 |
| 1900 | #332 | 104 |
| 1890 | #350 | 53 |
| 1880 | #296 | 28 |
How popular is Catharine, counting every spelling?
Catharine is a spelling of Kathryn, a name family that ranked #663 for girls in 2025 once every spelling is counted together. Together these spellings went to 431 girls in 2025.
| Spelling | Babies 2025 | Official rank | Babies 2021–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathryn | 381 | #729 | 2,168 |
| Katharine | 27 | #4,935 | 162 |
| Kathrine | 15 | #7,312 | 84 |
| Cathryn | 8 | #11,135 | 83 |
| Kathryne | — | — | 27 |
| Catharine | — | — | 26 |
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How old are people named Catharine?
About 5,300 people born in the US named Catharine are alive today, with a median age of 58; half are between 41 and 71. That makes Catharine a name most people associate with older generations.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Catharine: their share of US girls followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Catharine, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Catharine
What does Catharine mean?
Catharine is a spelling of Kathryn, usually explained as “variant of Catherine (origin uncertain)”, but this is uncertain. Certainty: uncertain.
How popular is the name Catharine?
Catharine was not among the names given to 5 or more girls in 2025. Its best year was 1883, when it ranked 249th; the most babies were born in 1915 (281). More babies were named Catharine in the 1910s than in any other decade.
Is Catharine a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a girl’s name given the name Catharine in the US.