Catherine

Catherine is a French and English form of Katharina, ultimately derived from the Greek name Aikaterine, whose meaning remains uncertain though it has long been associated by folk etymology with the Greek word katharos, meaning pure. The name was borne by Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a legendary early Christian martyr whose veneration helped spread the name throughout medieval Europe. Several queens and empresses made it prominent across history, most notably Catherine the Great of Russia and Catherine of Aragon. Variant forms include Katherine, Katharine, and Kathryn, with cognates in many languages such as Katarina, Katarzyna, and Caitríona.