Katherine
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What does the baby name Katherine mean? Learn about what Katherine means, its history & origin, popularity in our random name database, pronunciation, similar names, nicknames & spelling variations.
Katherine - Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
- Spelling of Katherine
- K-A-T-H-E-R-I-N-E, is a 9-letter female given name.
- Pronunciation of Katherine
- KATH-rin
- KATH eh rin
- Meaning of Katherine
- Pure, chaste, virginal.
- Origin of Katherine
- The name 'Katherine' has a rich and storied history that dates back centuries. It is derived from the Greek name 'Aikaterinē', which in turn is believed to have originated from the earlier name 'Hekaterine'. The earliest known use of the name can be traced back to the fourth century, during the time of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a Christian martyr revered for her wisdom and courage.
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- Similar Names, Nicknames, & Spelling Variations of Katherine
- Caitlin
- Caitrine
- Caitrionia
- Caryn
- Cass
- Cassie
- Catalina
- Caterina
- Catherine
- Cathleen
- Cathy
- Catout
- Catrionagh
- Catuja
- Cawth
- Ekaterina
- Kaatja
- Kait
- Kajsa
- Karan
- Karen
- Kasen
- Kasja
- Kaska
- Katalin
- Katarzyna
- Katchen
- Kate
- Kateke
- Katerina
- Kathleen
- Kathrinna
- Kathy
- Katica
- Katja
- Katka
- Katla
- Katlaina
- Katreen
- Katri
- Katrien
- Katrin
- Katrina
- Katy
- Katya
- Kay
- Kayla
- Kerry
- Kitty
- Kotinka
- Kotrina
- Rina
- Treinel
- Trina
- Trinchen
- Trine
- Trinette
- Yekaterina
- Ykaterina
- Popularity of Katherine
- Throughout history, the name 'Katherine' has experienced periods of both popularity and decline. In medieval England, it was a highly favored name among royalty and nobility. However, during the Reformation era, when the Catholic Church 's influence waned, the name fell out of favor. It was not until the 19th century that 'Katherine' began to regain its popularity, thanks in part to the romanticized portrayal of the name in literature, such as Shakespeare 's 'The Taming of the Shrew. '
- Katherine currently has 805 likes, and is in the top 1% of liked girl's names. The name Dinah is slightly more popular than Katherine.
Etymology of Katherine
The etymology of 'Katherine' is fascinating. The Greek name 'Aikaterinē' is believed to have been derived from the Greek words 'katharos', meaning 'pure', and 'hē katharos', meaning 'the pure one'. This association with purity and innocence has contributed to the enduring appeal of the name.
Cultural Significance of Katherine
The name 'Katherine' holds cultural significance in various contexts. In Christian tradition, Saint Catherine of Alexandria is revered as a symbol of faith, wisdom, and strength. Her story has inspired countless works of art and literature, further cementing the name 's cultural significance.
In addition, the name 'Katherine' has been embraced by numerous cultures and languages around the world. Its versatility and adaptability have allowed it to seamlessly integrate into different societies, making it a truly global name.