Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Catarina
GirlPortuguese, Italian· “Portuguese and Italian form of Catherine”
- Meaning
- Portuguese and Italian form of Catherine (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Portuguese, Italian
- Pronunciation
- kat-uh-REE-nuh
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #1,897
- US babies 2025
- 103
- Best rank
- #1,018 (1901)
- Peak year
- 2023
Meaning and origin of Catarina
Catarina is often said to mean “Portuguese and Italian form of Catherine”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Portuguese and Italian roots.
Catarina is the Portuguese form of Catherine, and it is also used in Italian and Catalan alongside Caterina. Catherine's origin is disputed: it may come from the Greek name Aikaterine, of unknown meaning, which was later associated with katharos, pure, giving the Latin spelling Katharina. Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Saint Catherine of Siena made it one of Europe's most widespread Christian names. Catarina is said kat-uh-REE-nuh in English. Related forms include Katarina, Caterina and Catalina, and it can be shortened to Cat, Cata or Rina.
Popularity over time
Catarina first appears in US Social Security records in 1888. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,018 in 1901, and the most babies received it in 2023, when 118 were named Catarina. In 2025, 103 babies were named Catarina, and it ranked #1,897 nationally. That is 66% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #2,485 in 1920, #3,079 in 1950, #3,736 in 1980, #2,215 in 2000, #2,758 in 2010, and #1,897 in 2025. Of the 3,965 US girls named Catarina since records began, 17% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 654 babies. Since 2010, 1,248 more have been named Catarina.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Josephina, Yasmina, Nirvana, Zari, and Siara.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Catarina ranked highest in Iowa, Massachusetts, and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | #587 | 5 |
| Massachusetts | #905 | 5 |
| Florida | #970 | 16 |
| Tennessee | #1163 | 5 |
| Georgia | #1404 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Catarina is usually pronounced kat-uh-REE-nuh, with four syllables. It has eight letters, starts with C and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Catarina
A few middle names that flow with Catarina: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Catarina
Similar names
Serafina Girl
sehr-uh-FEE-nuh
“fiery ones; from seraphim” · Italian
#1,024
Caterina Girl
kat-uh-REE-nuh
“Italian form of Catherine” · Italian
#4,679
Filomena Girl
fee-loh-MEH-nuh
“beloved” · Italian
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Ariana Girl
ar-ee-AH-nuh
“most holy; form of Ariadne” · Italian
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Arianna Girl
ar-ee-AH-nuh
“most holy” · Italian
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Elena Girl
eh-LAY-nuh
“form of Helen; meaning uncertain” · Greek
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Valentina Girl
vah-lehn-TEE-nuh
“strong, healthy” · Latin
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Liliana Girl
lih-lee-AH-nuh
“lily; also from Elizabeth” · Italian
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Angelina Girl
an-juh-LEE-nuh
“little angel; messenger” · Italian
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Juliana Girl
joo-lee-AH-nuh
“feminine of Julian” · Latin
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Adriana Girl
ay-dree-AH-nuh
“from Hadria” · Latin
#366
Catalina Girl
ka-tuh-LEE-nuh
“Spanish form of Katherine; often linked to pure” · Spanish
#111
Lists that include Catarina
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Catarina mean?
Catarina is often said to mean “Portuguese and Italian form of Catherine”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Portuguese and Italian roots.
What is the origin of the name Catarina?
Catarina has Portuguese, Italian, and Greek roots. Catarina is the Portuguese form of Catherine, and it is also used in Italian and Catalan alongside Caterina.
Is Catarina a popular name?
Not especially. Catarina ranked #1,897 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Catarina a boy or girl name?
Catarina is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Catarina?
Catarina is usually pronounced kat-uh-REE-nuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings