The most common variants are Katherine, Kathryn, and Katharine. The spelling Catherine is common in both English and French. Less-common variants in English include Katheryn, Katharyn, Kathryne, Katherin, Kathrine, Catharine and Cathryn.

What does Catherine mean?

Meaning of Catherine

Catherine means “pure” (from ancient Greek “katharós/κᾰθᾰρός”), “each of the two” (from ancient Greek “hekáteros/ἑκᾰ́τερος”), “one hundred” (from ancient Greek “hekatón/ἑκᾰτόν”), “far away” (from ancient Greek “hekás/ἑκᾰ́ς”), but as well “torture” (from ancient Greek “aikíā/αἰκῐ́ᾱ”).

Which came first Katherine or Catherine?

Used since third century A. D. Early Latin forms Katerina and Caterina became Katharine and Catherine. French Cateline and English Catlyn came into wider use during medieval period when variants multiplied.