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Catherine

Girl name · 5,506 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Catherine: 5,506 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 298 births in 1974.

Catherine is a classic name of Greek origin, derived from *Aikaterine*. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is most commonly associated with the Greek word *katharos*, meaning "pure." The name has been borne by numerous queens and saints, most famously Catherine the Great, the powerful Empress of Russia, and Catherine of Siena, a 14th-century theologian. Saint Catherine's Monastery in the Sinai desert is named for the latter. In Scotland, the name felt distinctly regal thanks to Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who visited often. A popular variant is Katherine, and the name saw a notable resurgence in the UK following the royal wedding in 2011.