Catherine


Catherine with a C is the French form of the ancient Greek name Aikaterina. This name is so old nobody is sure what its meaning is. It may derive from the name of the goddess Hecate, or be related to aikia meaning "torture." it could also be from a Coptic name meaning "my consecration of your name."

Later on, it was taken by the Romans in the form of Katharina, who associated it with the Greek word katharos, meaning "pure" as it was associated with St. Catherine of Alexandria, one of the first Christian martyrs. Many baby name books still list it as meaning "pure," although that is not completely etymologically sound.

For more forms of Catherine, click here.
See Also: Katherine, Kathryn, Katharine, Caddryn

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