Kateri

“Native American (Mohawk)” — Associated with Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

Canada origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#3736US 2023

41Births / yr

↓Falling

2.3kAll-time births

📅 Since 193700

How to pronounce Kateri

KAH·TER·ee

/ˈkɑ.ˈtɛr.iː/ · stress on KAH · 3 syllables

“Native American (Mohawk)”

Associated with Saint Kateri Tekakwitha · Canada origin

What does Kateri mean and where does it come from?

Kateri is the Mohawk form of the name Catherine, meaning 'pure'. In the context of Native American history, it is notably associated with Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American saint canonized by the Catholic Church. The name is celebrated particularly among Indigenous communities and ha

Cultural significance

Kateri has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Canada-speaking communities, where it reflects values of native american (mohawk).

Peak popularity

Reached #1728 in 1980 — currently #3736 in the US.

🌿

What middle names flow best with Kateri?

Kateri works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Kateri Grace

How popular is Kateri right now?

Falling — down 60 spots — currently #3736 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1950–2023#3736 · Top 2.8%

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#3736	41	▼ down 60 · -2% births
2022	#3676	42	▼ down 100 · -2% births
2021	#3576	43	▲ up 862 · +43% births
2020	#4438	30	▼ down 1044 · -36% births
2015	#3394	47	▲ up 1488 · +62% births
2010	#4882	29	▼ down 1559 · -37% births
2005	#3323	46	▼ down 605 · -15% births
2000	#2718	54	▼ down 84 · +15% births
1995	#2634	47	▲ up 226 · +18% births
1990	#2860	40	▼ down 596 · -11% births
1985	#2264	45	▼ down 536 · -31% births
1980	#1728	65	▲ up 1378 · +183% births
1975	#3106	23	▲ up 836 · +53% births
1970	#3942	15	▼ down 1147 · -25% births
1965	#2795	20	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Kateri

Best Year1980Rank #1728

Peak Count65

Average Rank#3411

Current Trend↗Rising

Data Range1950 - 202318 years

The story of Kateri

Kateri entered American naming records in 1937 and has been in use for over 87 years. With 2,334 total births recorded, Kateri remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #5817 in 1950 to #3736 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Kateri in 1980:

Jennifer Amanda Jessica Melissa Sarah

Kateri by decade

Kateri peaked in the 1980s. See all 1980s names →

Decade	Births
1930s	5
1940s	11
1950s	87
1960s	180
1970s	202
1980s	442
1990s	457
2000s	426
2010s ★	494
2020s	30

💎With 2,334 total births, Kateri is an uncommon but established name.

What are good nicknames for Kateri?

BULGARIAN

Katerina

CROATIAN

InaKataKateKaticaTina

CZECH

Katka

DANISH

CajaCarinaInaKajaKarenKarinKarinaKatjaTrine

What names sound and feel like Kateri?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Kateri also consider these

American · Of America

Kamari

Swahili-speaking countries · moonlight

How is Kateri written in other languages?

What are the boy versions of Kateri?

Cătălin ROMANIAN Keila ENGLISH Shayla ENGLISH Tayla ENGLISH Ketevan GEORGIAN Keti GEORGIAN Keto GEORGIAN Hekate GREEK MYTHOLOGY

Common questions about the name Kateri

What does the name Kateri mean?

Kateri means "Native American (Mohawk)" — a name rooted in Canada 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 Kateri?

Kateri is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Kateri have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Kateri?

Kateri originates from Canada tradition. Canada 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 Kateri?

Kateri is a three-syllable name pronounced K AA1 T EH1 R IY0. 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 Kateri?

Kateri pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Canada heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.