Names › Girls' names › K › Katherine
Katherine
Meaning: uncertain; associated with 'pure' · Origin: Greek · Gender: usually a girl's name
Origin & history
From Greek Aikaterine, of debated origin; early Christians linked it to katharos, 'pure'. Saint Catherine of Alexandria and three of Henry VIII's wives bore it.
Famous people named Katherine
- Catherine the Great (empress)
- Katharine Hepburn (actor)
- Katherine Johnson (NASA mathematician)
Nicknames
Kate, Katie, Kathy, Kat, Kitty
Variants & related names
Catherine, Katharine, Caterina, Ekaterina
Katherine name art
A free preview of a printable “Katherine” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
FAQ
What does the name Katherine mean?
Katherine means “uncertain; associated with 'pure'”. It comes from Greek.
Is Katherine a popular name?
Katherine is a classic girls' name that has been used for generations in the English-speaking world. For its current rank, see the US Social Security Administration or UK Office for National Statistics baby-name lists.
What are nicknames for Katherine?
Kate, Katie, Kathy, Kat, Kitty.
What are other forms of Katherine?
Catherine, Katharine, Caterina, Ekaterina.
Similar names
Penelope · Sofia · Elena · Athena · Iris · Sophie
More: names starting with K · all girls' names
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.