girls' name · peaked 1956

Cathryn

A female given name from Ancient Greek, of rare usage, variant of Catherine.

Every Cathryn since 1882 — 16,332 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.050.10.150.218801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1952Girls
Rank 2025
#11,135
among girls
Babies in 2025
8
named Cathryn
Peak year
1956
368 babies
All-time total
16,332
since 1882

The story of Cathryn

Cathryn is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #11,135 in 2025 with 8 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1882, 16,332 American babies have been named Cathryn. Its peak came in 1956, when 368 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.

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 Cathryn stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Cathryn year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank
2025 8 #11,135
2024 17 #6,685
2023 13 #8,145
2022 16 #7,048
2021 29 #4,641
2020 20 #5,902
2019 39 #3,809
2018 25 #5,196
2017 38 #3,932
2016 40 #3,796
2015 64 #2,748
2014 58 #2,935
2013 53 #3,087
2012 55 #3,054
2011 61 #2,846
2010 59 #2,911
2009 48 #3,421
2008 96 #2,108
2007 91 #2,181
2006 84 #2,272
2005 113 #1,743
2004 107 #1,782
2003 102 #1,823
2002 103 #1,753
2001 124 #1,510
2000 154 #1,266
1995 144 #1,192
1990 157 #1,111
1985 163 #952
1980 135 #1,054
1975 118 #1,022
1970 197 #749
1965 168 #764
1960 255 #633
1955 335 #504
1950 320 #451
1945 135 #626
1940 81 #787
1935 85 #730
1930 94 #718
1925 110 #704
1920 118 #665
1915 136 #549
1910 39 #682
1905 26 #701
1900 17 #924
1895 24 #624
1890 8 #1,019
1885 9 #752
1880

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Cathryn mean?

A female given name from Ancient Greek, of rare usage, variant of Catherine.

How popular is the name Cathryn in 2025?

Cathryn ranked #11,135 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 8 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Cathryn?

16,332 babies have been named Cathryn in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Cathryn most popular?

Cathryn peaked in 1956, when 368 newborns received the name.

Is Cathryn a boy or girl name?

Cathryn is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Cathryn rising or falling?

Cathryn is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Names like Cathryn

Compare Cathryn with similar names →