Kateri Girl

Popularity: #913 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: kuh-TEH-ree /kəˈtɛɹi/

Origin: Irish; Native American

Meaning: Irish: pure; Native American: derived from the name Catherine

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Kateri is derived from the Greek name Aikaterine, which is believed to have originated from the Greek word "katharos," meaning "pure." This name was later adopted into Latin as "Catherine," which became widely used in various forms across Europe. The name Kateri is particularly associated with the Mohawk language, where it is a variation of the name Catherine, reflecting the influence of European missionaries in North America during the 17th century.

The name entered English usage through the adaptation of these earlier forms, particularly as it became associated with notable figures in Christian history. One significant historical milestone associated with the name Kateri is that of Kateri Tekakwitha, a 17th-century Native American woman who was canonized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church in 2012.

Born in 1656 in what is now New York, she was the daughter of a Mohawk chief and a Christian Algonquin mother. Kateri Tekakwitha is revered for her deep spirituality and commitment to her faith, and her life story has inspired many, particularly within Indigenous communities.

Her canonization marked a significant moment in the recognition of Native American saints within the Catholic tradition, further solidifying the name's cultural and religious significance. Culturally, the name Kateri resonates with themes of purity, spirituality, and resilience, reflecting the values associated with Kateri Tekakwitha's life and legacy.

The name has become a symbol of faith and devotion, particularly among those who honor her contributions to both Native American and Christian histories. The use of Kateri as a name not only acknowledges its European roots but also celebrates the unique cultural identity of Indigenous peoples in North America.

This blend of influences has allowed the name to endure through centuries, embodying a rich tapestry of historical and cultural narratives.

Famous people named Kateri

In this section, you will find notable people named Kateri. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Kateri who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Kateri who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Kateri Tekakwitha is a saint best known for her deep spirituality and dedication to the Catholic faith.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kateri, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

KiraKaiaKeiraKylaKianaKara

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Kateri. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

KatrinaKarinaKiraKylieKatiaKatrin

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Kateri was first seen in the United States in 1937.

Kateri has ranked as high as #2736 nationally, which occurred in 1980, and has been most popular in New York, California, Texas, Arizona, and Pennsylvania.

In the past 5 years the name Kateri has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Kateri is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Kateri was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Kateri (2023)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.

State Births Share
CA 5
100%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Kateri.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 32 32
2024 39 39
2023 41 41
2022 42 42
2021 43 43
2020 31 31
2019 37 37
2018 55 55
2017 48 48
2016 52 52
2015 47 47
2014 61 61
2013 62 62
2012 60 60
2011 43 43
2010 29 29
2009 29 29
2008 35 35
2007 49 49
2006 37 37
2005 46 46
2004 41 41
2003 41 41
2002 44 44
2001 51 51
2000 54 54
1999 55 55
1998 49 49
1997 55 55
1996 43 43
1995 47 47
1994 39 39
1993 43 43
1992 47 47
1991 39 39
1990 40 40
1989 36 36
1988 44 44
1987 52 52
1986 38 38
1985 45 45
1984 42 42
1983 38 38
1982 45 45
1981 37 37
1980 65 65
1979 18 18
1978 19 19
1977 26 26
1976 20 20
1975 23 23
1974 23 23
1973 22 22
1972 14 14
1971 22 22
1970 15 15
1969 13 13
1968 20 20
1967 27 27
1966 10 10
1965 20 20
1964 9 9
1963 29 29
1962 19 19
1961 17 17
1960 16 16
1959 13 13
1958 12 12
1957 13 13
1956 6 6
1955 13 13
1954 5 5
1953 5 5
1952 8 8
1951 7 7
1950 5 5
1949 5 5
1947 6 6
1937 5 5