Katherine

[ˈkæθərɪn]

Meaning

from Greek Αἰκατερίνη (Aikaterine), associated with Greek καθαρός (katharos) meaning "pure"

Background Story

The name comes from the Greek Αἰκατερίνη (Aikaterine), whose etymology is debated: it may derive from an earlier Greek name Ἑκατερινη (Hekaterine), from ἑκάτερος (hekateros) meaning "each of the two"; from the goddess Hecate; from Greek αἰκία (aikia) meaning "torture"; or from a Coptic name meaning "my consecration of your name". In the early Christian era it became associated with Greek καθαρός (katharos) meaning "pure", and the Latin spelling was changed from Katerina to Katharina to reflect this. The name was borne by a semi-legendary 4th-century saint and martyr from Alexandria, venerated initially in Syria, and returning crusaders introduced it to Western Europe. It has been common in England since the 12th century, with Katherine and Catherine becoming standard in the later Middle Ages; the spelling Katherine was first recorded in England in 1196.