Catherine as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Catherine

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The baby name Catherine is a Female name , 23 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈkæθərɪn/, /ˈkæθrɪn/ (KATH-ər-in, KATH-rin).

Catherine is Greek in Origin.

Gender: Female

Syllables: 23.0

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: /ˈkæθərɪn/, /ˈkæθrɪn/ (KATH-ər-in, KATH-rin)

What is the meaning of the name Catherine ?

The baby name Catherine is a Female name , 23 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈkæθərɪn/, /ˈkæθrɪn/ (KATH-ər-in, KATH-rin).

Catherine is Greek in Origin.

Catherine stems from Greek Aikaterinē, perhaps linked to Hekate, later reinterpreted through Greek katharos “pure,” the meaning most commonly given today. Its fame spread across Christendom via veneration of Saint Catherine of Alexandria and later Catherine of Siena, entering Latin as Catharina and Old French as Catherine. The name came to England after the Norman Conquest and remained a staple, borne by queens (Catherine of Aragon, Catherine Parr) and empresses (Catherine the Great), sustaining continuous popularity.

International variants include Katherine/Katharine, Kathryn/Cathryn; Katharina (German), Caterina (Italian), Catalina (Spanish), Catarina (Portuguese), Katarina/Katarína (Slavic, Scandinavian), Katarzyna (Polish), Katariina (Finnish), Ekaterina (Russian), and Gaelic Catrìona/Caitríona (with Irish Caitrín). Diminutives and short forms span Kate, Cate, Katie, Kathy, Kitty, Kat, Kay, Katya/Katia, Triona, and Rina. Related forms include Katrina and the Scandinavian/Dutch Karin and Danish-Norwegian Karen. Classic yet adaptable, Catherine suits many cultures and styles while retaining its aura of purity.

Catherine has the following similar or variant Names

Catherine II of Russia Politician\|royal · Born 1729 · Kingdom of Prussia Catherine II of Russia, also known as Catherine the Great, was an influential Empress of Russia who reigned from 1762 until 1796. She is most famous for expanding the Russian Empire and modernizing its administration. Her reign is often considered the Golden Age of Russia.	Catherine Zeta-Jones Actor\|musician · Born 1969 · United Kingdom Catherine Zeta-Jones is a British actress best known for her role in the film 'Chicago', where she showcased her singing and dancing talents. She also starred in 'The Mask of Zorro' and 'Ocean's Twelve'. Born in 1969, she has become a prominent figure in both film and theater.	Catherine Deneuve Actor · Born 1943 · France Catherine Deneuve is a French actress best known as one of the greatest stars of European cinema. She became internationally famous for films like The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Belle de Jour, and Indochine.
Catherine of Siena Politician · Born 1347 Catherine of Siena is most famous as a Catholic saint, mystic, and Doctor of the Church who influenced both religion and politics in 14th-century Italy. Born Caterina di Jacopo di Benincasa, she became known for her powerful letters and theological writings, and she was canonized in 1461.	Catherine I of Russia Royal · Born 1684 · Russian Empire Catherine I of Russia is most famous for becoming Empress of Russia after the death of Peter the Great. Born Marta Helena Skowrońska, she had earlier served as Peter’s wife and consort before ruling from 1725 until her death in 1727.	Catherine O'Hara Actor · Born 1954 · Canada Catherine O'Hara was a Canadian-American actress and comedian best known for Beetlejuice, Home Alone, and Schitt's Creek. She built a career spanning more than 50 years, starting in sketch and improv comedy before expanding into dramatic roles in film and television.

Catherine Ashton

Politician · Born 1956 · United Kingdom

Catherine Ashton is best known for serving as the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and as First Vice President of the European Commission from 2009 to 2014. A British Labour politician, she began her national political career in 1999 when Tony Blair’s government made her a life peer as Baroness Ashton of Upholland.

Catherine Keener

Actor · Born 1959 · United States

Catherine Keener is an American actress best known for her acclaimed work in independent films and standout supporting roles in major movies. She’s especially known for Being John Malkovich, Capote, and Get Out, often playing sharp, emotionally complex women.

Catherine Samba-Panza

Politician · Born 1954 · Central African Republic

Catherine Samba-Panza is best known for serving as Transitional President of the Central African Republic from 2014 to 2016. A Central African politician born on 26 June 1954, she was also the first woman to serve as head of state in the country.

Catherine Connolly

Politician · Born 1957 · Ireland

Catherine Connolly is an Irish politician best known for serving as president of Ireland since 11 November 2025. Before that, she was a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Galway West constituency from 2016 until her election as president in 2025.

Catherine Bell

Actor · Born 1968 · United States

Catherine Bell is a British-American actress and model best known for playing Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie on JAG. She also starred as Denise Sherwood in Army Wives and as Cassie Nightingale in The Good Witch films and TV series.

Catherine Breillat

Actor · Born 1948 · France

Catherine Breillat is best known as a French filmmaker known for provocative, boundary-pushing films such as Romance, Fat Girl, and Anatomy of Hell. She is also a novelist and a professor of cinema at the European Graduate School.

Catherine McCormack

Actor · Born 1972 · United Kingdom

Catherine McCormack is an English actress best known for her role in Braveheart. She has also appeared in films like Dangerous Beauty, Spy Game, and 28 Weeks Later.

Catherine Pavlovna of Russia

Royal · Born 1788 · Russian Empire

Catherine Pavlovna of Russia is best known for being Queen of Württemberg from 1816 until her death in 1819. She was a Russian grand duchess and the wife of King William I of Württemberg.

Catherine Bach

Actor · Born 1954 · United States

Catherine Bach is an American actress best known for playing Daisy Duke on The Dukes of Hazzard. She also appeared as Margo Dutton in African Skies.

Catherine Spaak

Actor · Born 1945 · Belgium

Catherine Spaak was best known as a French-Italian actress and 1960s Italian screen icon, celebrated as an “It girl” and later as a popular TV host. She starred in films like Il sorpasso, La voglia matta, and L'armata Brancaleone, and also built a successful career as a singer and media personality.

Catherine Oxenberg

Actor · Born 1961 · United States

Catherine Oxenberg is an American actress best known for playing Amanda Carrington on the 1980s prime-time soap opera Dynasty. Born on September 22, 1961, she became widely recognized for that role and for her work in television.

Catherine Siachoque

Actor · Born 1972 · Colombia

Catherine Siachoque is a Colombian actress best known for her roles in telenovelas. Born María Alexandra Catherine Siachoque Gaete on 21 January 1972, she is especially known for shows like Sin senos no hay paraíso, La casa de al lado, and Pecados ajenos.

Catherine Burns

Actor · Born 1945 · United States

Catherine Burns was an American actress best known for her Oscar-nominated supporting role in Last Summer (1969). She worked across stage, film, radio, and television during her career.

Catherine Mary Stewart

Actor · Born 1959 · Canada

Catherine Mary Stewart is a Canadian actress best known for her roles in 1980s cult films. She appeared in The Last Starfighter, Night of the Comet, and Weekend at Bernie's.

Catherine Corsini

Actor · Born 1956 · France

Catherine Corsini is a French film director and screenwriter best known for movies like Replay and The Divide. Born on 18 May 1956, she has also worked as an actress, and Replay was entered into the 2001 Cannes Film Festival.

Catherine Schell

Actor · Born 1944 · Hungary

Catherine Schell is a Hungarian-born British actress best known for playing Maya in Space: 1999. She also appeared as Nancy in the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service and as Countess Scarlioni in Doctor Who's City of Death.

Catherine Fulop

Actor · Born 1965 · Argentina

Catherine Fulop is best known as a Venezuelan-Argentine actress, television presenter, and former beauty queen. She also worked as a model and radio host, and she placed as fourth runner-up in Miss Venezuela 1986 and third runner-up in Miss Latin America.

Catherine Reitman

Actor · Born 1981 · United States

Catherine Reitman is an American-Canadian actress, producer, and writer best known for creating and starring in the sitcom Workin' Moms. She also served as the show's executive producer and writer during its run from 2017 to 2023.

Name	Last Name(s)	Mother	Mother famous for	Father	Father famous for	Fame Level
Catherine	Camus			Albert Camus	association footballer	★★★★★
Catherine	Gide			André Gide	journalist	★★★★★
Catherine	Allégret			Yves Montand	singer	★★★★★
Catherine	Wyler			William Wyler	film producer	★★★★★
Catherine	Edith Mary Law			Bonar Law	professional boxer	★★★★★
Catherine	Reitman	Geneviève Robert	film director	Ivan Reitman	film director	★★★★★
Catherine	Lacoste			René Lacoste	tennis player	★★★★★

Catherine – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country	Gender	Year	Rank	Born	of
Ireland	Girls	2025	#1	—	874
FJ	Girls	0	#7	3	583
BF	Girls	0	#10	8	315
MT	Girls	0	#18	213	3,773
BW		0	#19	1	960
HT	Girls	0	#21	3	950
BN		0	#27	6	2,297
NA		0	#29	5	2,537
PH		0	#30	67	5,607
PH	Girls	0	#31	781	13,098
BI	Girls	0	#32	2	726
MV	Girls	0	#34	2	2,021
MT		0	#36	8	1,767
HN	Girls	0	#38	1	884
CM		0	#39	17	2,592
ID		0	#39	1	2,238
LU		0	#39	28	2,830
MO		0	#39	14	2,706
SG	Girls	0	#40	2,036	18,916
PR		0	#54	2	1,497
CY		0	#55	6	1,632
SG		0	#61	275	11,010
CN		0	#62	24	3,857
TW		0	#63	38	4,523
LU	Girls	0	#64	147	4,850
JP		0	#66	12	4,057
CM	Girls	0	#68	1,412	11,671
HK	Girls	0	#70	2,092	16,104
MY	Girls	0	#72	3,666	24,821
QA		0	#72	29	7,011
BN	Girls	0	#75	32	5,459
AO		0	#77	1	2,729
BW	Girls	0	#79	77	4,216
BG		0	#80	3	1,799
MY		0	#82	305	12,352
CN	Girls	0	#84	533	8,829
HK		0	#86	402	8,483
ID	Girls	0	#86	13	3,319
JM		0	#90	4	3,714
MD	Girls	0	#90	3	865
QA	Girls	0	#91	269	15,378
AF	Girls	0	#94	1	2,402
KZ		0	#94	1	1,452
OM		0	#98	19	6,215
MO	Girls	0	#99	178	7,056
CY	Girls	0	#101	21	3,755
SD		0	#101	2	2,130
TW	Girls	0	#102	206	8,139
KW		0	#105	12	5,216
GE	Girls	0	#106	3	1,564
GR		0	#109	26	3,911
AE		0	#115	63	10,220
GH	Girls	0	#117	367	6,973
PA		0	#117	14	3,797
Norway	Girls	2018	#121	4	459
EC		0	#121	1	2,502
MU		0	#125	12	3,613
PR	Girls	0	#128	34	3,171
IQ		0	#133	1	3,533
Switzerland	Girls	2024	#134	2	1,786
RS	Girls	0	#134	4	1,651
CR		0	#135	24	5,526
EE	Girls	0	#137	6	1,888
BN	Boys	0	#139	1	6,332
GR	Girls	0	#140	107	6,293
NA	Girls	0	#149	76	7,146
KW	Girls	0	#151	453	19,177
BW	Boys	0	#154	1	4,685
NG	Girls	0	#158	2,183	15,093
RU		0	#160	30	3,641
UY		0	#160	18	2,477
AE	Girls	0	#162	494	20,968
OM	Girls	0	#162	255	15,987
RU	Girls	0	#165	659	11,913
MU	Girls	0	#169	195	8,539
SI	Girls	0	#176	2	2,769
ZA	Girls	0	#176	3,347	25,928
Sweden	Girls	2022	#177	3	1,568
MT	Boys	0	#178	2	4,064
CZ		0	#182	5	3,154
CL	Girls	0	#183	2,399	14,098
AR		0	#188	6	2,915
DK		0	#190	14	5,198
Belgium	Girls	2004	#193	23	405
Austria		0	#195	19	850
GH		0	#195	49	5,396
CL		0	#196	280	6,867
NG		0	#204	61	5,926
ZA		0	#204	253	14,421
JM	Girls	0	#205	55	7,507
PL		0	#205	8	2,600
BG	Girls	0	#212	12	3,559
HU	Girls	0	#212	12	3,308
AO	Girls	0	#213	5	4,575
Canada	Girls	2024	#216	70	2,795
JP	Girls	0	#218	28	6,592
PS		0	#218	9	5,692
EC	Girls	0	#221	19	3,650
AL	Girls	0	#226	2	4,141
IR		0	#227	5	4,221
MO	Boys	0	#234	1	5,842
BD		0	#240	2	5,992
SA		0	#240	56	10,560
PT		0	#243	8	4,161
NA	Boys	0	#250	4	6,830
UY	Girls	0	#253	333	6,731
TW	Boys	0	#256	1	7,111
PE		0	#257	54	6,350
CO		0	#270	261	7,768
DK	Girls	0	#273	44	7,429
France	Boys	1967	#277	3	1,124
IL		0	#277	6	6,291
KZ	Girls	0	#281	40	5,862
CZ	Girls	0	#282	61	5,378
United States	Girls	2024	#286	955	8,487
PA	Girls	0	#287	206	9,861
HR	Girls	0	#292	3	3,687
Canada	Boys	1997	#301	5	1,830
AL	Boys	0	#303	1	5,122
JP	Boys	0	#303	1	7,909
JO	Girls	0	#305	21	7,570
PL	Girls	0	#317	38	5,096
CN	Boys	0	#328	4	9,639
CO	Girls	0	#329	1,836	16,140
SD	Girls	0	#332	14	7,678
GT		0	#333	6	5,948
BR		0	#335	11	5,969
NL		0	#346	46	2,481
Finland	Girls	0	#347	45	1,368
SA	Girls	0	#350	742	25,931
GH	Boys	0	#354	8	8,138
EG		0	#358	43	6,387
PT	Girls	0	#360	93	7,952
Austria	Girls	0	#364	57	1,885
MU	Boys	0	#367	3	8,477
CR	Girls	0	#372	164	11,342
France	Girls	2021	#377	29	3,185
BD	Girls	0	#377	10	8,413
Germany		0	#381	57	2,542
PT	Boys	0	#381	1	7,951
Spain		0	#388	65	2,326
JO	Boys	0	#389	1	7,057
PE	Girls	0	#391	940	14,861
YE		0	#392	7	8,639
MX		0	#396	18	8,339
BO		0	#400	9	6,868
PH	Boys	0	#406	3	11,440
GT	Girls	0	#430	76	7,500
BH		0	#437	117	17,937
PS	Girls	0	#456	68	10,981
LB		0	#459	207	13,263
IR	Girls	0	#474	57	8,334
AR	Boys	0	#482	2	7,628
IQ	Girls	0	#482	23	11,303
GT	Boys	0	#498	2	7,625
BO	Girls	0	#504	108	9,488
PA	Boys	0	#505	1	9,305
CM	Boys	0	#506	45	12,054
CR	Boys	0	#510	1	10,188
HK	Boys	0	#513	15	12,905
RU	Boys	0	#521	6	12,621
IL	Girls	0	#542	76	11,648
LY		0	#553	7	12,703
Germany	Girls	0	#555	312	4,949
AR	Girls	0	#559	41	8,289
IT		0	#561	155	4,183
IR	Boys	0	#565	1	10,162
IN	Girls	0	#568	64	13,121
Spain	Girls	0	#571	470	5,561
Finland	Girls	2026	#586	160	3,895
EG	Girls	0	#592	414	14,742
BO	Boys	0	#619	4	9,244
CL	Boys	0	#653	13	13,390
NL	Girls	0	#671	293	5,933
SY		0	#677	52	11,684
SG	Boys	0	#684	14	17,960
IT	Girls	0	#685	1,087	9,415
IQ	Boys	0	#695	3	13,071
QA	Boys	0	#695	13	18,093
TN		0	#751	79	13,765
KW	Boys	0	#755	15	18,755
BR	Girls	0	#834	108	12,708
OM	Boys	0	#840	42	17,948
United States	Boys	2007	#867	5	7,493
PE	Boys	0	#869	10	14,506
CO	Boys	0	#909	12	15,656
NG	Boys	0	#918	34	16,906
EG	Boys	0	#921	5	15,035
MX	Girls	0	#922	267	17,781
MA		0	#972	157	20,986
MX	Boys	0	#1,029	5	16,355
MY	Boys	0	#1,070	42	25,439
DZ		0	#1,115	62	20,130
ZA	Boys	0	#1,121	58	25,619
AE	Boys	0	#1,135	9	22,615
TR		0	#1,166	46	19,440
IT	Boys	0	#1,460	12	10,046
SA	Boys	0	#1,593	22	28,008

Catherine is popular in 94 countries — most recent births per country:

France

Ireland

Scotland, United Kingdom

Norway

Canada

Switzerland

United States

Wallonia, Belgium

Sweden

New York City (White, non-Hispanic), United States

Belgium

New York City (Asian & Pacific Islander), United States

Brussels, Belgium

England & Wales, United Kingdom

Flanders, Belgium

New York City (Hispanic), United States

Austria

New South Wales, Australia

Germany

Spain

Finland

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