Catherine

Meaning of Catherine

The name means 'pure' or 'clear'. It suggests a sense of innocence and untainted goodness.

Catherine has Greek roots — browse every Greek baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Catherine

Catherine has held fairly steady, sitting around #314 in 2025 after peaking at #81 in 2000.

Notable people named Catherine

• Catherine Zeta-Jones
  Award-winning actress, singer
• Catherine Deneuve
  Iconic French actress
• Kate Middleton
  Princess of Wales, philanthropist
• Catherine the Great
  Empress of Russia
• Catherine O'Hara
  Acclaimed comedic actress

More Greek names

Questions about the name Catherine

What does the name Catherine mean?

Catherine means the name means 'pure' or 'clear'. it suggests a sense of innocence and untainted goodness, and it comes from Greek origins.

Is Catherine a boy's or a girl's name?

Catherine is most commonly used as a girl's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Catherine?

In 2025, Catherine ranked #314 for girls, up from #321 the year before.

When was Catherine most popular?

Catherine peaked at #81 in 2000.