Katherine Johnson

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Katherine Johnson — Greek
485K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
Advertisement

Katherine Johnson 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 Johnson: Johnson is a patronymic surname of Anglo-Norman origin. It is a patronym of the given name John and literally means "son of John". It is the second most common surname in the United States. 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: Johnson

Meaning: son of John

English

Johnson is a patronymic surname of Anglo-Norman origin. It is a patronym of the given name John and literally means "son of John". It is the second most common surname in the United States.

Advertisement

Geographic Distribution

The first name Katherine is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 12%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Katherine by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
Advertisement

Notable People Named Katherine Johnson

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 Johnson:

6
Expression Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

5
Soul Urge Number

Freedom and adaptability. A dynamic, versatile personality that embraces change and seeks new experiences.

1
Personality Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

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 Johnson?
The surname Johnson originates from English. Johnson is a patronymic surname of Anglo-Norman origin. It is a patronym of the given name John and literally means "son of John". It is the second most common surname in the United States.
What are the origins of the name Katherine Johnson?
The name Katherine Johnson combines two different traditions: the first name Katherine has Greek roots, while the surname Johnson originates from English.
Advertisement