US Popularity Rank: 401

Origin: Greek

Meaning: pure

Originating from Greek, Katherine is a girl’s name that means “pure.” This name draws its power from a saint martyred in Alexandria, known in Greek as Aikaterine, and receives its defintiion from the Greek word katharos. This regal name has been in use since the third century and has evolved into many forms in different countries, from Katarina to Kathleen and Kaitlin. The name Katherine is well represented in literature and history, from Kate in Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew to Henry VIII’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon.