Catherine vs Katherine
A side-by-side comparison of Catherine and Katherine — meaning, origin, pronunciation, popularity, and cultural significance.
Catherine vs Katherine: the key differences
Catherine and Katherine are spellings of the same name. Both come from the Greek tradition; both mean “pure”. Both are used for girls.
In 2025, Catherine ranked #313 and Katherine #186 among girls' names in the US, so Katherine was the more common choice, 127 places ahead of Catherine. Katherine overtook Catherine in 1973; Catherine peaked at #18 in 1914, Katherine at #25 in 1991.
Both have 2 syllables; Catherine has 9 letters and Katherine 9. Either pairs well with siblings like Elizabeth and Margaret.
how do Catherine and Katherine compare?
| Catherine | Attribute | Katherine |
|---|---|---|
pure | Meaning | pure |
| Greek | Origin | Greek |
KATH-rin | Pronunciation | KATH-rin |
| girl | Gender | girl |
2 syllables, 9 letters | Sound | 2 syllables, 9 letters |
Cathy, Cate, Kate, Katie, Kitty | Nicknames | Kate, Katie, Kathy, Kat, Kay, Kit |
Katherine, Catharine, Kathryn, Cathryn, Katerina | Variants | Catherine, Katharine, Kathryn, Kathleen, Katarina |
#18 in 1914 | All-time peak | #25 in 1991 |
Catherine the Great (Empress of Russia); Catherine of Aragon (Queen of England) | Famous namesakes | Katherine Johnson (mathematician); Katherine Mansfield (author) |
Borrowed from French, from the Greek Aikaterine, whose meaning is debated; the Greek hekateros, each of the two, and the goddess Hecate have both been proposed. The th in the spelling comes from a folk etymology, going back to Roman times, that connected the name with the Greek katharos, pure. | Etymology | A spelling of Catherine, from the Greek Aikaterine, whose original meaning is debated; proposals include the Greek hekateros, each of the two, and the name of the goddess Hecate. In early Christian times it was linked with the Greek katharos, pure, which gave the name its th, and the initial K is a return to the Greek. |
| #313 | Popularity (2025) | #186 |
From the Greek Aikaterine, a name of debated meaning that has been tied to the Greek katharos, pure, since early Christian times. It was the name of Saint Catherine of Alexandria and later of queens and empresses, among them Catherine of Aragon and Catherine the Great. | Cultural Note | A spelling of Catherine, from the Greek Aikaterine. The name's original meaning is debated, but it has been linked with the Greek katharos, pure, since early Christian times, and it spread across Europe with the cult of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. |
which is more popular: Catherine or Katherine?
Catherine
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #314 |
| 2024 | #324 |
| 2023 | #331 |
| 2022 | #328 |
| 2021 | #323 |
Katherine
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #186 |
| 2024 | #175 |
| 2023 | #170 |
| 2022 | #166 |
| 2021 | #157 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset
questions about Catherine and Katherine
What is the difference between Catherine and Katherine?
Catherine and Katherine are spellings of the same name. Both come from the Greek tradition; both mean “pure”. Both are used for girls.
Which is more popular, Catherine or Katherine?
In 2025, Catherine ranked #313 and Katherine #186 among girls' names in the US, so Katherine was the more common choice, 127 places ahead of Catherine. Katherine overtook Catherine in 1973; Catherine peaked at #18 in 1914, Katherine at #25 in 1991.
Are Catherine and Katherine pronounced the same?
Catherine is pronounced KATH-rin and Katherine KATH-rin. Both have 2 syllables; Catherine has 9 letters and Katherine 9.
Should I name my baby Catherine or Katherine?
Both Catherine and Katherine are beautiful choices. Consider the meaning, cultural significance, and how each sounds with your last name. HushName's free AI consultation can help you explore both options and find the perfect fit for your family.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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