Katherine
Katherine is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Pure.
Origin and history
Katherine is a name of Greek origin traditionally derived from Aikaterine, widely associated with the meaning pure. Although historically registered for over 1,800 males in U.S. records since 1880, it is overwhelmingly used as a feminine name. In modern times, male registrations of Katherine in the United States are virtually non-existent.
Popularity in the United States
1,824 babies in the United States have been named Katherine since 1880. It ranks #3001 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- CA (40.7 %)
- DC (29.6 %)
- NY (11.1 %)
- KY (9.3 %)
- MI (4.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 5 |
| 1890-1900 | 5 |
| 1900-1910 | 34 |
| 1910-1920 | 81 |
| 1920-1930 | 166 |
| 1930-1940 | 139 |
| 1940-1950 | 130 |
| 1950-1960 | 147 |
| 1960-1970 | 156 |
| 1970-1980 | 203 |
| 1980-1990 | 450 |
| 1990-2000 | 168 |
| 2000-2010 | 119 |
| 2010-2019 | 21 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Nicknames
Kate, Katie, Kathy, Kat, Kay
Fun facts
- The name traces back to the ancient Greek name Aikaterine, associated early on with the Greek word katharos, meaning pure.
- Over 1,800 males in U.S. birth records have been given the name Katherine since 1880, usually as family names or rare variations.