Names Greek Female

Catherine

Also: Katherine, Caterina, Katharine, Catalina (Spanish), Catarina (Portuguese), Kate, Katie, Kathleen

Meaning

Greek of contested etymology; possibly from katharos, "pure," or from a pre-Christian Greek name later interpreted as meaning "pure."

Figure

Two principal saints: Catherine of Alexandria (legendary fourth-century martyr); Catherine of Siena (1347-1380, Dominican mystic and Doctor of the Church).

Feast day

April 29 (Catherine of Siena, Catholic); November 25 (Catherine of Alexandria, Catholic and Orthodox)

Traditions
CATHOLICORTHODOXANGLICANPROTESTANT

In the Christian tradition

Two principal Catherines are honored across Christian tradition. Catherine of Alexandria (fourth century, by tradition) is the patroness of philosophers and scholars; her feast is November 25. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) is the Dominican mystic, Doctor of the Church, and patron of Europe; her feast is April 29. The name has been in continuous Christian use in its many forms.

Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) is the third Doctor of the Church declared a woman (after Teresa of Avila and Therese of Lisieux were given the title in 1970; Catherine in 1970 alongside Teresa), the Dominican tertiary and mystic whose Dialogue and Letters are major works of Catholic spiritual literature. She influenced the return of the papacy from Avignon to Rome in 1377. Catherine of Alexandria, by tradition the highly-educated young woman who refuted pagan philosophers and was martyred under Diocletian, is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers of medieval Catholic devotion and the patroness of philosophers and scholars; her feast is November 25 in both the Catholic and Orthodox calendars. The name has been in continuous Christian use; its many vernacular forms (Catherine, Katherine, Caterina, Catalina, Kate) are widely used in modern English-speaking Christian families.