Catherine

Catherine is a French and English form of the Greek name Aikaterine, whose earlier form Hekaterine may derive from the Greek word hekateros, meaning each of the two, though the exact origin remains uncertain. The name became widely popular in medieval Europe through the veneration of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a fourth-century martyr, and was further spread by Saint Catherine of Siena. Catherine has been borne by numerous queens and empresses, including Catherine of Aragon and Catherine the Great of Russia. Variants and cognates include Katherine, Katharine, Katarina, Kathleen, and Karen.