Catherine
How to say it: KATH-uh-rin · /ˈkæθərɪn/
From Greek 'Aikaterine', possibly related to 'katharos' meaning 'pure'; one of the most historically enduring names.
Catherine was the 104th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 972 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1910s, its births are down about 52% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #158 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #104 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 972 |
| Share of births | 1 in 1,071 |
| Peak decade | 1910s |
| Change over 10 years | −52% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #158 |
| In France, 2025 | #894 among girls’ names, 30 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Catherine has slipped far below its high in the 1910s. Softening should continue in the near future.
What goes with it
Airy and soft with breathy sounds, Catherine carries royal history and a saint's legacy. Elizabeth shares its style, while Kate offers a classic short form.
Middle names that flow with Catherine →
Parents who love Catherine also love
Nicknames
- Cat
- Cate
- Kate
- Katie
- Cathy
- Kay
Honouring a Catherine in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Catherine is about 1 in 45.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Dutch, English, French, German, Greek.
In France: #894 for girls in 2025.
Ireland: #277.
Famous people named Catherine
- Catherine, Princess of Wales (born 1982)Member of the British Royal Family and princess of Wales since 2022
- Catherine II of Russia (1729–1796)Eighth Emperor of Russia, called the Great, r. 1762–1796 (lived 1729-1796)
- Catherine Zeta-Jones (born 1969)British actress
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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