Catherine (Kate) - Names
Meaning of the name Catherine (Kate)
Gender:
Female
Meaning:
Pure (from Greek: katharos),
each of two (from Greek: hekateros)
History & etymology:
Kate is a diminutive form of Katherine, Kaitlyn/Caitlin and many other alternative spellings.
Kate as the short form of Katherine was introduced to English in the Middle Ages to mimic French spelling (-t- instead of –th-) because French language used to be trendy among nobility. More recently, Kate began to function as a separate name, too.
Katherine stems from the Greek name Aikaterine, which in turn comes from either the Greek name Hekaterine or the goddess Hecate. Later on, under the influence of early Christianity, the initial ‘he-‘ was dropped to stress association with the Greek word katharos: pure, hence the name Katherine.
There are many saints by the name Catherine, e.g.: Catherine of Alexandria, Catherine of Bologna, Catherine of Bologna, Catherine of Ricci, Catherine of Siena, Caterina Volpicelli.
The first and probably the best known of them is St. Catherine of Alexandria, a virgin martyr also known as Saint Catherine of the Wheel and The Great Martyr Catherine. Catherine was an Egyptian princess, born in Alexandria around AD 287. She was an intelligent young woman and an eager student.
When Christians started to be repressed under the rule of emperor Maxentius, Catherine, aged only 18, decided to confront the cruel ruler. Inspired by the Holy Ghost, she came to speak to him and denounced his evil deeds. So impressive were her rhetorical skills, that none of 50 orators brought by Maxentius could beat her. Unable to win and make Catherine abandon her faith, the emperor threw her into prison. There, he made a final attempt to persuade Catherine to reject God by proposing marriage. She turned down his offer, so Maxentius ordered to have Catherine executed on a breaking wheel. Legend has it that the wheel broke down upon her touch. Unable to kill her this way, Maxentius commanded to behead her instead.
St. Catherine of Alexandria is the patron of apologists, unmarried girls and students. Her feast day is 25th November.
Alternative spellings & related names:
Katica, Kaitlin, Kait, Cait, Kathryn, Kathleen, Caterina, Katrina, Caitlin, Ketherine, Catherine, Kayleen, Katharina
Diminutives: Katy, Katie, Catie, Kitty, Kat
Similar names in other languages & name days:
Bulgaria
24th November: Katerina
Croatia
25th November: Katarina
Czech Republic
25th Novemer: Katerina
Estonia
25th November: Katrin
Finland
25th November: Katariina, Katriin
Germany
25th November, 9th February: Katharina
Latvia
25th November: Katrina
Lithuania
25th November, 22nd March,13th February: Kotryna
Poland
25th November, 30th April,22nd March, 9th March: Katarzyna
Slovak Republic
25th November: Katarina, Katrina
Spain
29th April: Katia
Sweden
25th November: Katarina
Ukraine
24th November: Katherine, Katerina
USA
25th November: Kate, Katie, Katherine
Famous people named Kate/Catherine:
Kate Beckinsale (1973-) - British actress
Cate Blanchett (1969-) - Australian actress
Kate Bush (1958-) - British singer
Kate Hudson (1979-) - American actress
Katie Melua (1984-) - Georgian-British singer and musician
Kate Middleton (1982-) - duchess of Cambridge, wife of Prince William
Kate Moss (1974-) - English model
Kate O’Brien (1897-1974) - Irish novelist
Katy Perry (1984-) - American singer and songwriter
Kate Reed (1982-) - British athlete
Kate Ryan(1980-) - Belgian singer
Kate Smith (1907-1986) - American singer
Kate Tempest (1985-) - British poet
Kate Winslet (1975-) - English actress and singer
Catherine the Great (1762 - 1796) - Empress of Russia
Catherine of Aragon (1485 - 1536), Catherine Howard (1523 - 1542), Catherine Parr (1512 - 1548)- wives of king Henry VIII of England
Catherine de’Medici (1519 – 1589) - Queen of France
Fun facts:
Popularity:
USA: 222nd (2015)
UK: 393rd (2015)
Ireland: 18th (2014)
Lucky colors: green, yellow
Lucky stone: Aquamarine
Ruling planet: Mercury
Characteristics: friendly, individualistic, successful, innocent
Crochet stitch called Catherine’s wheel is named after the torture instrument which broke into pieces upon St. Catherine’s touch