Katherine

Katherine is a feminine given name used primarily in English-speaking countries. It is a spelling variant of Catherine or Katharine and has many international forms, including Kathryn, Catharine, and Catherine. The name traces to the Greek name Aikaterine, of uncertain meaning; theories connect it with the Greek katharos meaning pure, or with the name of the goddess Hecate. The form Katherine became common in medieval England and spread globally through Christian influences. The name is notably associated with Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a widely venerated early Christian martyr, which contributed to its enduring popularity in Europe and the Anglophone world.

In modern times, Katherine has many diminutives and related forms, such as Kate, Katie, Kat, and Katy. It remains a common given name for girls in many countries, with spelling variants sometimes signaling family or cultural origins.

Notable people named Katherine include Katherine Johnson, an American mathematician whose work at NASA helped send astronauts into orbit; Katherine Hepburn, an American actress widely regarded as an icon of classic Hollywood film; Katherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII; Katherine Mansfield, a prominent New Zealand writer; Katherine Graham, publisher of The Washington Post; and Katherine Switzer, a pioneer in women’s athletics who completed the Boston Marathon in 1967 as an officially registered entrant. There are many others in literature, politics, and entertainment.

In fiction, characters named Katherine appear in plays, novels, and films, sometimes rendered as Catherine or Katharine in different editions. The name also appears in religious and scholastic contexts due to the saintly veneration of Saint Katherine.