What does Catarina mean and where does it come from?
Catarina is a popular name in Portuguese and Spanish-speaking countries. It has variations in several languages, including 'Catherine' in English and 'Katherine' in Greek. The name has notable historical bearers, such as St. Catherine of Siena, and remains a widely respected and cherished name throu
Cultural significance
Catarina has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Portugal-speaking communities, where it reflects values of derived from the name 'catherine,' meaning 'pure'..
Peak popularity
Reached #1056 in 1901 — currently #1739 in the US.
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Related Reading
Portugal-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →What middle names flow best with Catarina?
Catarina works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Catarina Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Catarina Rose
Floral · soft ending
Catarina Mae
Sweet · timeless
Catarina Claire
French influence · crisp
Catarina Jane
Literary · strong
Catarina Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Catarina right now?
Rising fast — up 353 spots — currently #1739 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2023 | #1739 | 118 | ▲ up 353 · +28% births |
| 2022 | #2092 | 92 | ▲ up 28 · +3% births |
| 2021 | #2120 | 89 | ▼ down 32 · +2% births |
| 2020 | #2088 | 87 | ▲ up 716 · +40% births |
| 2015 | #2804 | 62 | ▼ down 52 · -3% births |
| 2010 | #2752 | 64 | ▼ down 225 · -6% births |
| 2005 | #2527 | 68 | ▼ down 313 · -4% births |
| 2000 | #2214 | 71 | ▼ down 427 · -11% births |
| 1995 | #1787 | 80 | ▲ up 1443 · +135% births |
| 1990 | #3230 | 34 | ▲ up 913 · +79% births |
| 1985 | #4143 | 19 | ▼ down 407 · -10% births |
| 1980 | #3736 | 21 | ▲ up 3489 · +200% births |
| 1975 | #7225 | 7 | ▼ down 3497 · -56% births |
| 1970 | #3728 | 16 | ▼ down 447 · +7% births |
| 1965 | #3281 | 15 | — |
The story of Catarina
Catarina has been a beloved American name for over 136 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1888. With 3,456 total births recorded, Catarina remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #1379 in 1895, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #1739 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Catarina in 1901:
Catarina by decade
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1880s | 6 | |
| 1890s | 28 | |
| 1900s | 70 | |
| 1910s | 154 | |
| 1920s | 233 | |
| 1930s | 187 | |
| 1940s | 135 | |
| 1950s | 113 | |
| 1960s | 143 | |
| 1970s | 136 | |
| 1980s | 209 | |
| 1990s | 614 | |
| 2000s ★ | 689 | |
| 2010s | 652 | |
| 2020s | 87 | |
💎With 3,456 total births, Catarina is an uncommon but established name.
What are good nicknames for Catarina?
CROATIAN
InaKataKateKaticaTina
DANISH
CajaCarinaInaKajaKarenKarinKarinaKatjaTrine
What names sound and feel like Catarina?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Catarina also consider these
How is Catarina written in other languages?
What are the boy versions of Catarina?
Common questions about the name Catarina
What does the name Catarina mean?
Catarina means "derived from the name 'Catherine,' meaning 'pure'." — a name rooted in Portugal tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Catarina?
Catarina is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Catarina have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Catarina?
Catarina originates from Portugal tradition. Portugal names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Catarina?
Catarina is a four-syllable name pronounced K AE1 T AA1 R IY1 N AH0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
What sibling names go well with Catarina?
Catarina pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Portugal heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.