Catherine
Catherine first appears in US records in 1880. It peaked in 1956, when 12,056 girls were given the name; in 2025 there were 972.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Catherine popular?
Declining Catherine is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1956 peak.
| 2020s | 6,002 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 17,154 | |
| 2000s | 29,702 | |
| 1990s | 40,763 | |
| 1980s | 42,437 | |
| 1970s | 43,864 | |
| 1960s | 76,788 | |
| 1950s | 108,839 | |
| 1940s | 62,086 | |
| 1930s | 50,027 | |
| 1920s | 78,881 | |
| 1910s | 65,823 | |
| 1900s | 22,006 | |
| 1890s | 14,502 | |
| 1880s | 8,915 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Catherine mean?
Catherine comes from the Greek Aikaterine, of uncertain origin; early Christians linked it to katharos, “pure.” Borne by saints and queens, it has one of the richest sets of nicknames of any name.
Nicknames for Catherine
- Cathy
- Kate
- Katie
- Cate
Variants & spellings
- Katherine
- Kathryn
- Caterina
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
Is Catherine a boy or a girl name?
Catherine is most commonly used as a girl name.
Is Catherine a popular name right now?
Catherine is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1956 peak.
How popular is the name Catherine?
In 2025, Catherine ranked #314 among girls’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Catherine most popular?
Catherine was most popular in 1956, when about 12,056 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What are common nicknames for Catherine?
Common nicknames for Catherine include Cathy, Kate, Katie, Cate.