Catherine Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Catherine is predominantly used for girls. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Catherine?
Catherine is spelled C-A-T-H-E-R-I-N-E. The name has 9 letters.
Catherine at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for girls
- Meaning
- Catherine is believed to derive from the Greek name Aikaterine, which may be linked to the Greek word “katharos” meaning “pure.”
- Origin
- Catherine is commonly associated with Greek origins, with some sources suggesting links to Greek words meaning “pure.”
- Pronunciation
- ka-ther-in · 3 syllables
Catherine Popularity in 2025
Rank#313
Recorded Births972
- Girls usage rose 9 places to #313 and recorded 16 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Catherine Mean?
Catherine is believed to derive from the Greek name Aikaterine, which may be linked to the Greek word “katharos” meaning “pure.”
Origin: Catherine is commonly associated with Greek origins, with some sources suggesting links to Greek words meaning “pure.”
How Do You Pronounce Catherine?
Pronunciationka-ther-in
Syllables3
What Is the History of the Name Catherine?
- History
- The name Catherine has been used by various historical and religious figures, contributing to its long-standing use in multiple cultures.
Catherine Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2004 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 972 | #313 |
| 2024 | Girls | 956 | #322 |
| 2023 | Girls | 933 | #331 |
| 2022 | Girls | 981 | #328 |
| 2021 | Girls | 1,005 | #323 |
| 2020 | Girls | 1,155 | #267 |
| 2019 | Girls | 1,312 | #241 |
| 2018 | Girls | 1,507 | #205 |
| 2017 | Girls | 1,584 | #198 |
| 2016 | Girls | 1,669 | #195 |
| 2015 | Girls | 1,807 | #177 |
| 2014 | Girls | 1,945 | #170 |
| 2013 | Girls | 1,868 | #170 |
| 2012 | Girls | 1,913 | #165 |
| 2011 | Girls | 1,937 | #161 |
| 2010 | Girls | 1,612 | #193 |
| 2009 | Girls | 1,892 | #176 |
| 2008 | Girls | 2,323 | #148 |
| 2007 | Girls | 2,472 | #142 |
| 2007 | Boys | 5 | #12,367 |
| 2006 | Girls | 2,793 | #121 |
| 2005 | Girls | 2,985 | #109 |
| 2005 | Boys | 8 | #8,299 |
| 2004 | Girls | 3,181 | #103 |
When Was Catherine Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1956 · Girls
12,056 recorded births
National rank #28
1955 · Girls
11,636 recorded births
National rank #28
1957 · Girls
11,151 recorded births
National rank #37
1954 · Girls
11,079 recorded births
National rank #32
Where Catherine Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Girls
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| DC | #93 | 8 |
| AL | #151 | 28 |
| KY | #172 | 26 |
| NC | #180 | 58 |
| CT | #220 | 15 |
| WV | #230 | 7 |
| VA | #236 | 34 |
| MS | #242 | 11 |