Find out how popular the first name Kathrine has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kathrine by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Kathrine is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 14 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Kathrine.

The history of the first name Kathrine

The name Kathrine is derived from the Greek name Katharina, which itself is a combination of the Greek words katharos, meaning "pure", and the name Aikaterine. The earliest recorded use of the name dates back to the 4th century BCE in ancient Greek texts.

In the early Christian era, the name gained popularity due to its association with the martyr Saint Catherine of Alexandria, who lived in the 4th century CE. The legend of Saint Catherine inspired many artistic depictions and literary works throughout the Middle Ages, further spreading the name across Europe.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Kathrine of Siena, an influential philosopher and theologian who lived from 1347 to 1380. She is renowned for her mystical visions and her role in persuading the papacy to return to Rome from Avignon.

In the 16th century, the name was popularized by Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of King Henry VIII of England. Their daughter, Mary I of England, was also known as Mary Tudor or Bloody Mary, and she reigned as Queen of England from 1553 to 1558.

Another notable bearer of the name was Catherine the Great, the Empress of Russia who ruled from 1762 to 1796. She is celebrated for her expansion of the Russian Empire and her patronage of the arts and culture.

In literature, one of the most famous characters bearing the name is Catherine Earnshaw from Emily Brontë's classic novel Wuthering Heights, published in 1847. The character's tragic love story with Heathcliff has become an enduring literary icon.

Moving into the 20th century, Catherine Deneuve, the renowned French actress known for her roles in films like Belle de Jour and Indochine, was born in 1943 and continues to be an influential figure in the entertainment industry.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Kathrine was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kathrine, please contact us.

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