Girl Name · Greek Origin
Katherine
Katherine is a girl baby name of Greek origin, meaning "Pure". It currently sits in the Top 250 tier of US baby names for 2026, and parents who love Katherine often also consider Katharine.
Katherine meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Pure
Origin: Greek naming roots help connect Katherine to related Greek baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Katherine as K·A·T·H·E·R·I·N·E, with 9 letters and a girl usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Katherine is a popular favorite that still feels personal in the Top 250 tier.
Katherine variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Katherinea, Katherinee, Katheriney, Katherin.
- Nicknames: Kathe and K.
- Middle names: Pair Katherine with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Katherine middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Katharine, Katheryne, Kathrine, Katerina, Katheryn — full picks on the sibling names for Katherine guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Katherine? Browse our names like Katherine guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Katherine
What does the name Katherine mean?
Katherine means "Pure" and is of Greek origin.
What is the origin of Katherine?
Katherine originates in Greek naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Katherine?
Katherine has 9 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Katherine a boy's or girl's name?
Katherine is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Katherine in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Katherine sits in the Top 250 tier — a popular favorite that still feels personal.
What names are similar to Katherine?
Names that share Katherine's sound and style include Katharine, Katheryne, Kathrine, Katerina, Katheryn.
What middle names pair well with Katherine?
Good middle-name fits for Katherine pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Katherine is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Katherine is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Katherine?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Katherine share its rhythm without rhyming — Katharine, Katheryne, Kathrine all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.