Katherine is a female given name of English origin, derived from the Greek word "Katharos", which means pure or innocent. The name was popularized during the Middle Ages through the legend of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, who refused to marry unless her husband was as chaste and intelligent as she was. This led to many variations of the name being used throughout Europe over time.
The most common spelling of Katherine in English-speaking countries is "Katherine", but other variations include Kate, Katie, Kathy, Cathryn, Kathryn, Catherina, Kathleen, Katrine, Katarina, Katherina, and Catherine. Despite these many spellings, all forms of the name are derived from the Greek word for pure.
Throughout history, many notable figures have borne the name Katherine or one of its variations. Some examples include Queen Catherine de' Medici of France in the 16th century, Saint Katherine of Siena (also known as Catherine of Siena), who was a Dominican tertiary and theologian in the 14th century, and Katherine Hepburn, the famous American actress from the mid-20th century.
In popular culture today, Katherine remains a popular choice for baby girls' names. According to data from the Social Security Administration, Katherine ranked as the 376th most popular name for baby girls in the United States in 2019. However, the name has seen fluctuations in popularity over time and reached its peak popularity during the late Victorian era.
Overall, Katherne is a classic and timeless female given name with a rich history and many notable figures throughout history bearing this name or one of its variations. Its meaning as pure or innocent adds to its appeal for parents seeking a meaningful name choice for their baby girl.
The name Katherine has a fascinating history of usage in the United States over the past century. In the year 1916, there were 5 babies born with this classic name. Fast forward to 1950, and the number remained steady at 5 births. The decade of the 1960s saw a slight increase in popularity, with 6 births recorded in that year. However, by 1970, the number of Katherine births had returned to the same level as it was in 1916 and 1950, with another 5 babies being given this name.
In total, over these four years (1916, 1950, 1960, and 1970), there were 21 babies born in the United States who were named Katherine.