Catharine

Updated: October 23, 2023 by Stephanie Graham

Catharine is a variation on a name that's neither novel nor outlandish, yet it can somehow seem to be far removed from the original name. In reality, though, Catharine has been as much an accepted spelling as Catherine or Katherine for years. Read on to learn more about this name.

Meaning and Origin of the name Catharine:

Catharine is a girl's name of Greek origin meaning “pure.”

Catharine may have derived from the Greek name Aikaterineis, which came from the Greek word katharos (meaning “pure”). The various spellings of the name Catharine are popular among Christians because it is associated with one of the earliest Christian saints who was martyred for being Christian, Catherine of Alexandria.

Symbolism of the name Catharine:

Catharine tends to symbolize the new beginning that is offered by the birth of a child.

Nicknames for the name Catharine:

Catharine is a girl's name with deep meaning and a rich history. This elegant name has many fun and adorable nicknames. We gathered those nicknames in the list below. All of these nicknames pair nicely with the name Catherine and are great for any little girl.

Cate
Kate
Cat
Cathy
Catey
Katey
Kitty

Style of the name Catharine:

Classic

Gender of the name Catharine:

Catharine is a name that tends to only be used for girls.

Pronunciation of the name Catharine:

CATH-A-RIN or CATH-rin

Number of syllables in the name Catharine:

Two or three depending on pronunciation

Emotion evoked from the name Catharine:

Catharine tends to evoke pleasant and nostalgic emotions in most who hear the name.

Alternative spellings for the name Catharine:

Popularity of the name Catharine:

According to the Social Security Administration, Catharine last ranked on the list of the most popular baby names in the United States in 1966 as the 983rd most popular baby name for girls. It peaked in popularity in 1905 as the 285th most popular baby name for girls.