Katherine Dunham
Name meaning, origin and global statistics
Katherine Dunham is a name that combines Greek origins. The first name Katherine 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. Katherine is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 485K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Katherine reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.
Etymology & Origin
First Name: Katherine
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 Katherine is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:
Popularity Over Time
Popularity of the name Katherine by decade, based on birth registration data:
Notable People Named Katherine Dunham
- Ginger Rogers (television actor, 1911)
- Katherine Johnson (military flight engineer, 1918)
- Tilda Swinton (film actor, 1960)
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 Katherine Dunham:
Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.
Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.
Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.
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 Katherine?
- The first name Katherine 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 Katherine most popular?
- The name Katherine 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 Katherine Dunham?
- The name Katherine Dunham combines two different traditions: the first name Katherine has Greek roots, while the surname Dunham originates from English.