Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Caterina
GirlItalian, Greek· “Italian form of Catherine”
- Meaning
- Italian form of Catherine
- Origin
- Italian, Greek
- Pronunciation
- kat-uh-REE-nuh
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #4,679
- US babies 2025
- 29
- Best rank
- #1,608 (1968)
- Peak year
- 2014
Meaning and origin of Caterina
Caterina is an Italian and Greek name that means “Italian form of Catherine”.
Caterina is the Italian form of Catherine, a name that came through Greek Aikaterine. Its origin is debated, and the popular link to katharos, pure, was a later association that shaped the spelling Katharine. Well-known bearers include Saint Catherine of Siena, born Caterina Benincasa, and Caterina Sforza, the Renaissance countess of Forli famous for defending her castle. The name is said kat-uh-REE-nuh in English and ka-teh-REE-na in Italian. Related forms include Catalina, Katarina and Catarina. Cat, Cate and Rina all work as nicknames, and it offers a warmer, more Mediterranean sound than Catherine.
Popularity over time
Caterina first appears in US Social Security records in 1904. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,608 in 1968, and the most babies received it in 2014, when 68 were named Caterina. In 2025, 29 babies were named Caterina, and it ranked #4,679 nationally. That is 36% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #5,100 in 1920, #2,703 in 1980, #2,547 in 2000, #3,902 in 2010, and #4,679 in 2025. Of the 3,017 US girls named Caterina since records began, 19% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 486 babies. Since 2010, 718 more have been named Caterina.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Orianna, Ahna, Lillianne, Amaiyah, and Simona.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Caterina is usually pronounced kat-uh-REE-nuh, with four syllables. It has eight letters, starts with C and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Caterina
A few middle names that flow with Caterina: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Caterina
Similar names
Serafina Girl
sehr-uh-FEE-nuh
“fiery ones; from seraphim” · Italian
#1,024
Catarina Girl
kat-uh-REE-nuh
“Portuguese and Italian form of Catherine” · Portuguese
#1,897
Ariana Girl
ar-ee-AH-nuh
“most holy; form of Ariadne” · Italian
#128
Arianna Girl
ar-ee-AH-nuh
“most holy” · Italian
#234
Elena Girl
eh-LAY-nuh
“form of Helen; meaning uncertain” · Greek
#42
Angelina Girl
an-juh-LEE-nuh
“little angel; messenger” · Italian
#347
Catalina Girl
ka-tuh-LEE-nuh
“Spanish form of Katherine; often linked to pure” · Spanish
#111
Philomena Girl
fih-luh-MEE-nuh
“loved, beloved (Greek)” · Greek
#1,920
Tatiana Girl
tah-tee-AH-nuh
“uncertain; from the Roman name Tatius” · Latin
#1,106
Filomena Girl
fee-loh-MEH-nuh
“beloved” · Italian
#4,485
Valentina Girl
vah-lehn-TEE-nuh
“strong, healthy” · Latin
#35
Liliana Girl
lih-lee-AH-nuh
“lily; also from Elizabeth” · Italian
#78
Lists that include Caterina
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Caterina mean?
Caterina is an Italian and Greek name that means “Italian form of Catherine”.
What is the origin of the name Caterina?
Caterina has Italian and Greek roots. Caterina is the Italian form of Catherine, a name that came through Greek Aikaterine.
Is Caterina a popular name?
Not especially. Caterina ranked #4,679 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Caterina a boy or girl name?
Caterina is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Caterina?
Caterina 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