Catherine
Catherine is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Pure, unsullied; derived from the Greek name Aikaterine.
Origin and history
Catherine is traditionally a feminine name derived from the Greek name Aikaterine, most commonly associated with the meaning 'pure'. Although predominantly given to females, historical U.S. birth records show rare usages for males. In modern times, it remains a classic traditional name, though almost exclusively registered for females today.
Popularity in the United States
1,822 babies in the United States have been named Catherine since 1880. It ranks #3002 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- NY (38 %)
- DC (22.9 %)
- PA (18.4 %)
- CA (8.9 %)
- KY (3.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 18 |
| 1890-1900 | 21 |
| 1900-1910 | 50 |
| 1910-1920 | 147 |
| 1920-1930 | 255 |
| 1930-1940 | 242 |
| 1940-1950 | 183 |
| 1950-1960 | 220 |
| 1960-1970 | 219 |
| 1970-1980 | 159 |
| 1980-1990 | 194 |
| 1990-2000 | 80 |
| 2000-2010 | 34 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Nicknames
Cathy, Cate, Cat, Catie
Fun facts
- The name traces back to the Greek name Aikaterine, long linked to the Greek word 'katharos' meaning pure.
- Historically recorded over 1,800 times for males in U.S. birth statistics since 1880, though exceedingly rare today.