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Catharine

Girl name · 3 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Catharine: 3 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 3 births in 1975.

Catharine is a classic spelling variant of Catherine, ultimately derived from the Greek *Aikaterine*, whose meaning remains debated—most commonly linked to *katharos*, meaning "pure." This form has been borne by several notable women, including Catharine Macaulay, the 18th-century English historian and radical republican writer, and Catharine Beecher, the influential American educator who championed women's education. The name shares its root with the River Cather in Devon, though the connection is indirect. While Catherine is the more widespread spelling, Catharine retains a distinguished, slightly old-fashioned charm, appearing in the records of many Scottish families through the centuries and offering a subtle alternative for parents drawn to the name's classic elegance.