Catharine
A female given name from Ancient Greek, of less common usage, variant of Catherine.
Every Catharine since 1880 — 12,994 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Catharine
Catharine is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 12,994 American babies have been named Catharine. Its peak came in 1915, when 281 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Catharine stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Catharine year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | 7 | #12,417 |
| 2023 | 5 | #15,658 |
| 2022 | 6 | #13,949 |
| 2021 | 8 | #11,328 |
| 2020 | 10 | #9,702 |
| 2019 | 10 | #9,881 |
| 2018 | 9 | #10,742 |
| 2017 | 13 | #8,378 |
| 2016 | 12 | #9,004 |
| 2015 | 12 | #9,063 |
| 2014 | 23 | #5,655 |
| 2013 | 16 | #7,465 |
| 2012 | 11 | #9,857 |
| 2011 | 19 | #6,615 |
| 2010 | 22 | #6,015 |
| 2009 | 18 | #7,124 |
| 2008 | 28 | #5,171 |
| 2007 | 31 | #4,713 |
| 2006 | 31 | #4,599 |
| 2005 | 30 | #4,506 |
| 2004 | 36 | #3,914 |
| 2003 | 42 | #3,422 |
| 2002 | 31 | #4,091 |
| 2001 | 45 | #3,102 |
| 2000 | 45 | #3,078 |
| 1995 | 47 | #2,628 |
| 1990 | 84 | #1,736 |
| 1985 | 74 | #1,606 |
| 1980 | 66 | #1,705 |
| 1975 | 94 | #1,221 |
| 1970 | 109 | #1,088 |
| 1965 | 93 | #1,086 |
| 1960 | 104 | #1,053 |
| 1955 | 141 | #814 |
| 1950 | 142 | #720 |
| 1945 | 90 | #792 |
| 1940 | 71 | #849 |
| 1935 | 81 | #751 |
| 1930 | 108 | #661 |
| 1925 | 175 | #540 |
| 1920 | 205 | #475 |
| 1915 | 281 | #357 |
| 1910 | 139 | #332 |
| 1905 | 135 | #285 |
| 1900 | 104 | #332 |
| 1895 | 89 | #308 |
| 1890 | 53 | #350 |
| 1885 | 56 | #264 |
| 1880 | 28 | #296 |
Famous people named Catharine
- Catharine MacKinnon Social activist · b. 1946
- Catharine Pendrel Cyclist · b. 1980
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Catharine mean?
A female given name from Ancient Greek, of less common usage, variant of Catherine.
How popular is the name Catharine in 2025?
Catharine did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Catharine?
12,994 babies have been named Catharine in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Catharine most popular?
Catharine peaked in 1915, when 281 newborns received the name.
Is Catharine a boy or girl name?
Catharine is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Catharine rising or falling?
Catharine is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Catharine?
Well-known people named Catharine include Catharine MacKinnon (social activist), Catharine Pendrel (cyclist).