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Why parents love Katherine- It has been a queen's name in virtually every European country.
- Katharine Hepburn is the most awarded actress in Oscar history.
- The nickname options are unmatched: Kate, Katie, Kat, Kit, Kitty, Kay, Kathy.
- It has never once gone out of fashion — truly timeless.
- The K-spelling feels slightly sharper and more modern than the C-version.
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The vibe of Katherine
royalpowerfulpuretimelessadaptableintelligentcommandingversatile
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Origin & history of Katherine
→ ατερίνη (Aikaterinē, possibly from katharos, pure)
→ Latin Katharina
→ English Katherine
1
Greek roots
Katherine's etymology is debated — it may come from the Greek katharos (pure) or from an earlier, pre-Greek source. Saint Catherine of Alexandria (4th century) was one of the most popular saints in medieval Europe, giving the name royal cachet across the continent. Katherine of Aragon (1485–1536) was Henry VIII's first wife, whose refusal to accept annulment led to the English Reformation. Catherine the Great (1729–1796) transformed Russia into one of Europe's great powers. The K-spelling Katherine has become the most popular variant in modern America, overtaking the C-spelling Catherine.
2
First recorded
Earliest known use: 4th century — Saint Catherine of Alexandria, one of the most venerated saints in Christianity.
3
Today
Katherine remains a beloved choice, ranking #132 in the US. 651,062 babies have been named Katherine since 1880.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names, Britannica, SSA data
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How popular is Katherine?
1990
peak year
Katherine appears in U.S. registration data going all the way back to 1880, when records begin. Its popularity climbed over the following decades. In 1990, 11,627 babies were named Katherine (ranked #26 nationally). Today it sits around #132, with roughly 2,372 babies named Katherine each year. Katherine has been declining in recent years. In total, around 651,062 babies have been registered with this name since 1880.
Year-by-year registrations
1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
11,627
Babies named in peak year
(ranked #26)
(ranked #26)
2,372
Avg. per year
(last decade)
(last decade)
23,720
Total registrations
last 10 years
last 10 years
651,062
All-time total
(since 1880)
(since 1880)
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Numerology of Katherine1
Life path number
The Leader
Leadership, independence and pioneering spirit.
Katherine's Life Path 2 is the diplomat's number — a nuanced vibration for a name associated with queens who wielded enormous power through strategy and intelligence. People named Katherine tend to be perceptive, politically astute, and skilled at getting what they want through patience and wit.
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Strategically brilliant✦
Patient and perceptive◈
Gets what she wants◎
Politically astute♡
Power through intelligenceK2
A1
T2
H8
E5
R9
I9
N5
E5
Sum: 46 → Life path 1
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Personality of Katherine🌟
Independent & bold
These individuals chart their own course. They lead, they don't follow.
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Ambitious drive
Quiet determination sits behind everything they do.
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Original ideas
Their minds work differently — seeing angles others walk past.
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Natural authority
Without trying, they earn respect.
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Famous people named KatherineClick any name to view their Wikipedia page.
K
Katherine of Aragon
Henry VIII's first wife, whose marriage dispute sparked the English Reformation.
K
Catherine the Great
Empress who transformed Russia into a European superpower.
K
Katharine Hepburn
Four-time Academy Award winner, Hollywood's most decorated actress.
K
Katherine Johnson
NASA mathematician whose calculations were critical to the first US spaceflights.
K
Kate Middleton
Catherine, Princess of Wales.
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If you like Katherine, you may also loveCatherine
The C-spelling — more French, equally royal.
Elizabeth
The other great English queen name — same timeless, nickname-rich energy.
Margaret
Both are royal names that have been popular for centuries without interruption.
Alexandra
Same regal, four-syllable, Greek-origin power.
Charlotte
Both are royal names with strong literary associations.
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Names that sound like KatherineIf you love Katherine, you might love these names with a similar sound, rhythm or feel.
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Names that combine with KatherineSibling pairings that share the timeless, classic energy of Katherine.
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Middle names for KatherineThe right middle name turns Katherine into a complete story. Explore options for first-and-middle pairings, then last-name flow.
Want a personalised middle name for Katherine? Try our dedicated generator with 1,000+ pairings.
♡ Generate middle name for Katherine →✦
Numerology life path calculatorEnter any full name and date of birth to discover the life path number — a core numerological indicator of personality, purpose and destiny.
First name
Middle name (optional)
Last name
Date of birth
7
Life path number
How we calculated this
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