Katherine is a feminine given name of Greek origin, derived from the Greek word "katharos," which means "pure" or "clear." The name has been used since ancient times and was borne by several prominent figures in history.
One of the most well-known historical figures named Katherine was Saint Catherine of Alexandria, who was a Christian martyr in the 4th century. She is said to have been the daughter of a nobleman and was famed for her intelligence and beauty. According to legend, she refused to marry any man except Jesus Christ, which led to her persecution by the Roman Emperor Maximus.
Another notable figure named Katherine was Catherine of Aragon, who was the first wife of England's King Henry VIII. She was born in Spain and was initially betrothed to Arthur, the Prince of Wales, but after his death, she married his brother Henry. Their marriage ended in divorce due to the king's desire for an annulment so that he could marry Anne Boleyn.
The name Katherine has also been popular among royalty and nobility throughout history. For example, Catherine of Braganza was a Portuguese princess who married England's King Charles II in 1662, while Catherine the Great was the Empress of Russia from 1762 until her death in 1796.
Today, Katherine remains a popular given name for girls and has several variants, including Kathryn, Catharine, Catherina, and Katie. It is often associated with strong-willed and independent women throughout history, reflecting its enduring appeal over centuries.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe the trends and popularity of the name Katherine over time in the United States.
From 1880 to 1936, the number of births with the name Katherine fluctuated between 5 and 24. The highest number of births during this period was recorded in 1923, with 24 babies named Katherine. This indicates that while Katherine was a relatively common name at the time, it did not reach exceptional popularity.
The years between 1937 and 1960 saw a decrease in the popularity of the name Katherine. The highest number of births during this period was recorded in 1956 with 21 births, but overall, the numbers were consistently lower than the earlier period, ranging from 5 to 18 births per year.
Starting from 1960, there was an increase in popularity for the name Katherine. The highest number of births during this time was recorded in 1971 with 30 births. This trend continued through the late 1970s and early 1980s, with numbers ranging from 26 to 45 births per year.
However, after 1984, there was a noticeable decline in the popularity of the name Katherine. The highest number of births during this period was recorded in 1989 with 94 births, but overall, the numbers decreased significantly, ranging from 13 to 20 births per year until 1992.
From 1993 onwards, there was another decrease in popularity for the name Katherine. The numbers ranged from 7 to 32 births per year, with no clear trend of increasing or decreasing popularity. The most recent years recorded have consistently low numbers, with a total of 5 births each in 2011 and 2014, and 9 births in 2015.
In conclusion, while the name Katherine has had periods of popularity throughout history, it appears that its popularity has waned in recent decades. The total number of births with the name Katherine in the United States is 1824, as recorded from 1880 to 2015.