Aikaterini

Aikaterini is a Greek feminine given name. It is the modern Greek form of Catherine or Katherine and is common in Greece and among Greek communities abroad. Diminutive or informal forms include Katerina, Katia, and Kat.

Etymology and origin are debated. The name Aikaterini derives from the ancient Greek form Aikaterine and is traditionally linked, in various theories, to either the goddess Hecate (through a common root with her name) or to the Greek word katharos meaning "pure." Its enduring association with Saint Catherine of Alexandria helped popularize the name in Christian culture.

Usage and name day: In Greece, the name day for Aikaterini is celebrated on November 25, the feast day of Saint Catherine of Alexandria; local calendars may vary in observance. In modern usage, Aikaterini appears in formal contexts, while many people go by the shorter form Katerina in daily life.

Notable bearers: Aikaterini Sakellaropoulou (often rendered as Katerina Sakellaropoulou), born 1956, is a Greek jurist who has served as the President of Greece since 2020, and she is the first woman to hold the office. The name is also associated with various saints named Catherine who are venerated in Greek Orthodox tradition, reflecting its historical and religious significance in Greece.