U-"Catherine" igama elinikeziwe lesifazane, elisuka ku-Greek, elisho "okumsulwa" noma "okucacile." Lisuselwa egameni lesiGreki elithi Αικατερίνη (Aikaterine), lona ngokwalo livela egameni lesiGreki elithi καθαρός (katharos), elisho "okumsulwa" noma "okucacile." Igama elithi Catherine beliyigama elidumile kuwo wonke umlando, futhi kuye kwaba nabesifazane abaningi abadumile abaye baphatha leli gama, kuhlanganise noCatherine Omkhulu waseRussia, uCatherine wase-Aragon, noCatherine de' Medici.