What does Caterina mean and where does it come from?
Caterina is the Italian form of the name Katherine, which has roots in the Greek name 'Aikaterine'. The name has been used since the Middle Ages and became popular due to Saint Catherine of Siena, who was born in 1347 and was a prominent figure in the Catholic Church. The name is embraced across var
Cultural significance
Caterina has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Italy-speaking communities, where it reflects values of pure.
Peak popularity
Reached #1682 in 1968 — currently #3335 in the US.
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Related Reading
Italy-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →What middle names flow best with Caterina?
Caterina works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Caterina Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Caterina Rose
Floral · soft ending
Caterina Mae
Sweet · timeless
Caterina Claire
French influence · crisp
Caterina Jane
Literary · strong
Caterina Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Caterina right now?
Declining — down 13 spots — currently #3335 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2023 | #3335 | 48 | ▼ down 13 |
| 2022 | #3322 | 48 | ▲ up 126 · +7% births |
| 2021 | #3448 | 45 | ▲ up 607 · +32% births |
| 2020 | #4055 | 34 | ▼ down 519 · -23% births |
| 2015 | #3536 | 44 | ▲ up 355 · +13% births |
| 2010 | #3891 | 39 | ▼ down 1135 · -35% births |
| 2005 | #2756 | 60 | ▼ down 209 · +2% births |
| 2000 | #2547 | 59 | ▼ down 86 · +13% births |
| 1995 | #2461 | 52 | ▲ up 1178 · +79% births |
| 1990 | #3639 | 29 | ▲ up 242 · +38% births |
| 1985 | #3881 | 21 | ▼ down 1175 · -38% births |
| 1980 | #2706 | 34 | ▼ down 676 · -21% births |
| 1975 | #2030 | 43 | ▼ down 4 · +5% births |
| 1970 | #2026 | 41 | ▼ down 277 · -2% births |
| 1965 | #1749 | 42 | — |
The story of Caterina
Caterina entered American naming records in 1904 and has been in use for over 120 years. With 2,782 total births recorded, Caterina remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #1920 in 1910, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #3335 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Caterina in 1968:
Caterina by decade
Caterina peaked in the 1960s. See all 1960s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1900s | 11 | |
| 1910s | 83 | |
| 1920s | 41 | |
| 1930s | 7 | |
| 1940s | 5 | |
| 1950s | 60 | |
| 1960s | 321 | |
| 1970s | 410 | |
| 1980s | 281 | |
| 1990s | 485 | |
| 2000s ★ | 570 | |
| 2010s | 474 | |
| 2020s | 34 | |
💎With 2,782 total births, Caterina is an uncommon but established name.
What are good nicknames for Caterina?
CROATIAN
InaKataKateKaticaTina
DANISH
CajaCarinaInaKajaKarenKarinKarinaKatjaTrine
What names sound and feel like Caterina?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Caterina also consider these
How is Caterina written in other languages?
What are the boy versions of Caterina?
Common questions about the name Caterina
What does the name Caterina mean?
Caterina means "pure" — a name rooted in Italy 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 Caterina?
Caterina is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is becoming rarer and more distinctive, making it a unique choice that stands out.
What is the cultural origin of Caterina?
Caterina originates from Italy tradition. Italy names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
What sibling names go well with Caterina?
Caterina pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Italy heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.
Is Caterina a common or rare name?
Caterina is a distinctive choice that balances familiarity with individuality. It strikes a balance between standing out and fitting in.