Catherine
6 synonyms for Catherine, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Name — A feminine given name of Ancient Greek origin, one of the most enduring names in the English-speaking world.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Caitriona
Etymology
From French Catherine, from Ancient Greek Aikaterine, of debated origin; associated by folk etymology with Greek katharos, "pure," which gave rise to the "th" spelling.
Full origin of Catherine →Frequently asked questions
What does “Catherine” mean?
The word “Catherine” means a feminine given name of Ancient Greek origin, one of the most enduring names in the English-speaking world.
How do you pronounce “Catherine”?
“Catherine” is pronounced KATH-rihn (/ˈkæθ(ə)ɹɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “Catherine” in a sentence?
Here is “Catherine” used in a sentence: “Catherine the Great ruled Russia for over three decades.”
What part of speech is “Catherine”?
“Catherine” is a name.
Where does the word “Catherine” come from?
The word “Catherine” comes from Ancient Greek. From French Catherine, from Ancient Greek Aikaterine, of debated origin; associated by folk etymology with Greek katharos, "pure," which gave rise to the "th" spelling.
Is “Catherine” a common word?
“Catherine” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "Catherine," "Katherine," and "Kathryn"?
These are spelling variants of the same feminine name. "Catherine" is the traditional form beginning with C, "Katherine" uses a K, and "Kathryn" is a shortened modern spelling; all are pronounced alike.
What are common nicknames for "Catherine"?
Familiar short forms include Kate, Katie, Cathy, Cat, Kitty, and Kay.
Should "Catherine" always be capitalized?
Yes. As a given name, Catherine is a proper noun and always takes a capital C.
Is "Catherine" an old name or a modern one?
Catherine is one of the most enduring names in the English-speaking world. It is of Ancient Greek origin and has stayed in continuous use across many generations.
