Katherine
Katherine, also spelled Catherine and other variations, is a feminine given name. The name and its variants are popular in countries where large Christian populations exist, because of its associations with one of the earliest Christian saints, Catherine of Alexandria.In the early Christian era it came to be associated with the Greek adjective καθαρός (katharos), meaning 'pure'. This influenced the name's English spelling, giving rise to variants Katharine and Catharine. The spelling with a middle 'a', was more common in the past. Katherine, with a middle 'e', was first recorded in England in 1196 after being brought back from the Crusades.

Popularity and variations
Anglophone use
In Britain and America, Catherine and its variants have been among the 100 most popular names since 1880. Amongst the most common variants are Katherine and Kathryn. The spelling Catherine is common in both English and French. Less-common variants in English include Katharine, Catharine, Cathryn, Katheryn, Katharyn, Kathryne, Katheryne, Katherin, and Kathrine.Diminutives include: Katie, Katy, Kate, Kathy, Kathe, Kath, Kay, Kat, Katja or Katya, Kota, Katyusha, Katrya, Kitty, Kit, Kasia; many of these are also sometimes given as independent names.Kathleen or Cathleen, Anglicized forms of the Irish Caitlín, have become established in the US among people with no Irish background, but is less popular in England and Wales. The form Karen, of Danish origin, is now often considered an independent name in English.

Language variants
The following is a list of various forms of the name Katherine, all ultimately associated with a common Greek-language origin of uncertain meaning but influenced by the Ancient Greek: καθαρός, 'pure'. These forms are in use as a given name in the language noted, or were formerly. The list includes short or pet forms (hypocorisms), associated with Katherine or one of its variants:

See also
All pages with titles beginning with Catherine
All pages with titles beginning with Katharine
All pages with titles beginning with Katherine
All pages with titles beginning with Kathrine
All pages with titles beginning with Katie

Notes and references
External links
Name statistics for Northern Ireland:
"Baby Names". Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. Government of the United Kingdom.
Name statistics for Scotland:
"Babies' First Names". National Records of Scotland. Government of the United Kingdom.