Catherine Dunham
Name meaning, origin and global statistics
Catherine Dunham is a name that combines Greek origins. The first name Catherine is a feminine given name of Greek origin. Katherine (), also spelled Catherine and other variations, is a feminine given name. The name and its variants are popular in countries where large Christian populations exist, because of its associations with one of the earliest Christian saints, Catherine of Alexandria. In the early Christian era it came to be associated with the Greek adjective καθαρός (katharos), meaning 'pure'. This influenced the name's English spelling, giving rise to variants Katharine and Catharine. The spelling with a middle 'a' was more common in the past. The surname Dunham: Dunham is a toponymic surname of English origin, deriving from several places named Dunham (from Old English: dun- hill, -ham home). Variations in spelling of surname Dunham are found across England, including: in Kent, Denham; in Devonshire and Nottingham, Douham; in Norfolk, Downham; and in Dorsetshire, Dynham. Individuals with the surname Dunham include: Ann Dunham (1942–1995), American anthropologist and pioneer in the field of microfinance Anne Dunham (1948–2025), British Para-equestrian Archie W. Dunham, former president and chief executive officer of Conoco Inc. Cyrus L. Catherine is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 578K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Catherine reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.
Etymology & Origin
First Name: Catherine
Greek
Katherine (), also spelled Catherine and other variations, is a feminine given name. The name and its variants are popular in countries where large Christian populations exist, because of its associations with one of the earliest Christian saints, Catherine of Alexandria. In the early Christian era it came to be associated with the Greek adjective καθαρός (katharos), meaning 'pure'. This influenced the name's English spelling, giving rise to variants Katharine and Catharine. The spelling with a middle 'a' was more common in the past.
Surname: Dunham
English
Dunham is a toponymic surname of English origin, deriving from several places named Dunham (from Old English: dun- hill, -ham home). Variations in spelling of surname Dunham are found across England, including: in Kent, Denham; in Devonshire and Nottingham, Douham; in Norfolk, Downham; and in Dorsetshire, Dynham. Individuals with the surname Dunham include: Ann Dunham (1942–1995), American anthropologist and pioneer in the field of microfinance Anne Dunham (1948–2025), British Para-equestrian Archie W. Dunham, former president and chief executive officer of Conoco Inc. Cyrus L.
Geographic Distribution
The first name Catherine is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:
Popularity Over Time
Popularity of the name Catherine by decade, based on birth registration data:
Notable People Named Catherine Dunham
- Catherine II of Russia (art collector, 1729)
- Cate Blanchett (film actor, 1969)
- Catherine, Princess of Wales (philanthropist, 1982)
- Catherine Zeta-Jones (film actor, 1969)
People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.
Numerology
According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Catherine Dunham:
Compassion and humanitarianism. A generous, idealistic nature with a sincere desire to improve the world.
Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.
Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.
Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the origin of the first name Catherine?
- The first name Catherine originates from Greek. Katherine (), also spelled Catherine and other variations, is a feminine given name. The name and its variants are popular in countries where large Christian populations exist, because of its associations with one of the earliest Christian saints, Catherine of Alexandria. In the early Christian era it came to be associated with the Greek adjective καθαρός (katharos), meaning 'pure'. This influenced the name's English spelling, giving rise to variants Katharine and Catharine. The spelling with a middle 'a' was more common in the past.
- When was Catherine most popular?
- The name Catherine reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
- What is the origin of the surname Dunham?
- The surname Dunham originates from English. Dunham is a toponymic surname of English origin, deriving from several places named Dunham (from Old English: dun- hill, -ham home). Variations in spelling of surname Dunham are found across England, including: in Kent, Denham; in Devonshire and Nottingham, Douham; in Norfolk, Downham; and in Dorsetshire, Dynham. Individuals with the surname Dunham include: Ann Dunham (1942–1995), American anthropologist and pioneer in the field of microfinance Anne Dunham (1948–2025), British Para-equestrian Archie W. Dunham, former president and chief executive officer of Conoco Inc. Cyrus L.
- What are the origins of the name Catherine Dunham?
- The name Catherine Dunham combines two different traditions: the first name Catherine has Greek roots, while the surname Dunham originates from English.