Catharine
Catharine is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Pure.
Origin and history
Catharine is a classic spelling variant of Catherine, derived from the Greek name Aikaterine. Historically associated with purity, it has been used in the English-speaking world for centuries. While less common than Catherine or Katherine in contemporary times, it retains a traditional, refined charm.
Popularity in the United States
12,994 babies in the United States have been named Catharine since 1880. It ranks #1405 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2065.
States where it is most popular
- PA (37.9 %)
- NY (15.7 %)
- CA (9.2 %)
- OH (7.3 %)
- NJ (5.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 478 |
| 1890-1900 | 801 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,117 |
| 1910-1920 | 2,086 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,643 |
| 1930-1940 | 844 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,012 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,387 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,074 |
| 1970-1980 | 777 |
| 1980-1990 | 705 |
| 1990-2000 | 550 |
| 2000-2010 | 337 |
| 2010-2019 | 147 |
| 2020-2029 | 36 |
Famous people named Catharine
- Catharine Sedgwick: Author, Novelist
- Catharine Beecher: Educator, Author
Nicknames
Cathy, Cat, Catie, Cate, Rina
Fun facts
- The 'a' spelling in the middle syllable reflects an older English transliteration variant of Catherine.
- Spelling variations like Catharine appear in classical English and American literature from the 18th and 19th centuries.