What does Catriona mean and where does it come from?
Catriona is a Scottish Gaelic form of the name Catherine, deriving from the Greek word 'katharos', meaning 'pure'. The name has been popular in Scotland and Ireland, especially in the 20th century. Notable people with the name include Scottish actress Catriona Balfe. The name is often pronounced 'ka
Cultural significance
Catriona has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Scotland-speaking communities, where it reflects values of pure.
Peak popularity
Reached #3687 in 1998 — currently #10552 in the US.
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Related Reading
Scotland-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →How else can you spell Catriona?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
What middle names flow best with Catriona?
Catriona works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Catriona Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Catriona Rose
Floral · soft ending
Catriona Mae
Sweet · timeless
Catriona Claire
French influence · crisp
Catriona Jane
Literary · strong
Catriona Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Catriona right now?
Falling — down 4334 spots — currently #10552 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2022 | #10552 | 9 | ▼ down 4334 · -53% births |
| 2021 | #6218 | 19 | ▲ up 1029 · +27% births |
| 2020 | #7247 | 15 | ▼ down 214 · -12% births |
| 2015 | #7033 | 17 | ▲ up 8287 · +183% births |
| 2010 | #15320 | 6 | ▼ down 8408 · -65% births |
| 2005 | #6912 | 17 | ▼ down 1137 · -11% births |
| 2000 | #5775 | 19 | ▲ up 2535 · +90% births |
| 1995 | #8310 | 10 | ▲ up 1262 · +25% births |
| 1990 | #9572 | 8 | ▼ down 1687 |
| 1985 | #7885 | 8 | ▼ down 1316 · -20% births |
| 1980 | #6569 | 10 | ▲ up 2236 · +100% births |
| 1970 | #8805 | 5 | ▼ down 1417 |
| 1965 | #7388 | 5 | — |
The story of Catriona
Catriona is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1965. With 644 total births recorded, Catriona remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #7388 in 1965, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #10552 in 2022.
Names that peaked alongside Catriona in 1998:
Catriona by decade
Catriona peaked in the 1990s. See all 1990s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1960s | 24 | |
| 1970s | 27 | |
| 1980s | 92 | |
| 1990s | 152 | |
| 2000s ★ | 207 | |
| 2010s | 127 | |
| 2020s | 15 | |
💎Catriona has only 644 total recorded births since 1965 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.
What are good nicknames for Catriona?
CROATIAN
InaKataKateKaticaTina
DANISH
CajaCarinaInaKajaKarenKarinKarinaKatjaTrine
What names sound and feel like Catriona?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Catriona also consider these
How is Catriona written in other languages?
What are the boy versions of Catriona?
Common questions about the name Catriona
What does the name Catriona mean?
Catriona means "pure" — a name rooted in Scotland 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 Catriona?
Catriona 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 Catriona?
Catriona originates from Scotland tradition. Scotland 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 Catriona?
Catriona is a four-syllable name pronounced K AE1 T R IY1 OW0 N AA1. 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 Catriona?
Catriona pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Scotland heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.