Of Greek origin.
French and English form or the name Katherine.
From the name Αικατερίνη (Aikaterine).
Derives from the early Greek name “Εκατερίνη”, (Hekaterine). From the Greek word “εκάτερος” (hekáteros), meaning “each of the two”.
Other sources mention as a possible origin, the name of the goddess Hecate.
In the early Christian era, it was associated with the Greek “καθαρός” (katharós), meaning “pure”.
It was changed from Katerina to the Latin Katharina to reflect this association.
Crusaders introduced the name to Western Europe and it became common in England in the 12th century, in different spellings.
Katherine and Catherine were the standard forms of the name in the Middle Ages.
Other forms of the name, diminutives and different languages spellings are Katherine, Catharine, Katherina, Kathryn, Cathryn, Katalin, Ekaterina, Katarina, Ina, Katica, Tina, Caterina, Karine, Karen, Karin, Katka, Catrina, Katrin, Katalina, Katia, Katja, Cathy, Kat, Kate, Kathie, Katie, Kathy, Kayla, Katyusha, Kitty, Caelie, Yekaterina, Cailin, Cailyn, Cate, Kailyn, Kaylee, Katusha, and more.
The name has also a Native American variant, Kateri, from the Mohawk pronunciation of Katherine, adopted by the 17th century Mohawk woman Tekakwitha when she was baptized.
Numerous Queens, Duchesses, two Russian Empresses, and other members of European royalty were and are nowadays bearers of the name.
Catherine is ranked #195 in the U.S.A. baby names popularity lists.
Famous bearers are Catherine Deneuve, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Catherine Keener, Catherine Tate, Catherine McCormack, Catherine O’Hara, Catherine Hicks, Catherine Dent, Catherine Jinks, Catherine Missal.
Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones began her career at the age of 12, in a stage performance for the musical “Annie”.
She has won Academy, BAFTA and TONY awards. She’s worked with some of the world’s most acclaimed film directors: S. Soderbergh, R. Marshall, S. Spielberg.