Katherine: Meaning, Popularity, Origin of Baby Name Katherine

Katherine

Pronunciation: KATH-rin (key)

Cognate of the Greek Aikaterinē, the root of which is katharos (pure, unsullied).

From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman. Buy the book

No Way

Definitely

Smart?

No Way

Definitely

Sexy?

No Way

Definitely

Friendly?

No Way

Definitely

Creative?

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Definitely

Strong?

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Definitely

Young?

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Definitely

Sophisticated?

Do you know any real life Katherines?
What are their siblings named?

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Katherine!

Comments and insights on the name Katherine: | Edit: I found this on a list of top 20 "whitest" names for girls.
Personal experiences with the name Katherine: | Edit: Katherine is my name, and I love it as a formal name. It would be a good fit for a college professor, doctor, scientist, president of the country. However, I mostly go by Kate, which I also love -- I can be formal (Katherine) or familiar and spunky (Kate) as I like.
Nicknames for Katherine: | Edit: Kat, Kate, Kathy, Katie, Kay, Kit, Kitty, Kari, Katia, Kathie
Meanings and history of the name Katherine: | Edit: Share what you know!
Famous real-life people named Katherine: | Edit: Kate Winslet (Academy award winning actress from England)
Kate Beckinsale (actress, from England)
Kate Hudson (Oscar nominated actress)
Kate Moss (British supermodel)
Katie Holmes (actress)
KaDee Strickland (actress) Full name is Katherine Dee
Katherine Swynford, third wife of John of Gaunt, ancestress of the Tudor dynasty
Katherine Heigl, American actress
Katherine of Aragon-Henry VIII's first wife, mother of Queen Mary-beautiful, intelligent, strong woman
Katherine in song, story & screen: | Edit: Katherine, Anya Seton's novel about Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt
An Abundance of Katherines, a novel by John Green
Izzie Stevens' of ''Grey's Anatomy'' middle name is Katherine
Katherine "Kate" Austen of the TV series "Lost"