Katherine vs Liam

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Liam

Boy #1 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"strong-willed warrior"

Origin: Irish

Cultural Roots

Irish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1
Total SSA Count
22,164
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Lee

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Liam →

Popularity Comparison

Katherine Rank #175
Liam Rank #1

Liam is more popular, ranked #1 vs #175 for Katherine.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Katherine ___

  • Katherine Elizabeth
  • Katherine Anne
  • Katherine Grace
  • Katherine Marie
  • Katherine Louise
  • Katherine Rose

Liam ___

  • Liam James
  • Liam Alexander
  • Liam Thomas
  • Liam Michael
  • Liam Patrick
  • Liam Joseph

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Katherine

William Henry Charlotte Edward Margaret

If you choose Liam

Olivia Emma Noah Charlotte Sophia

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Katherine or Liam more popular?

Liam is more popular, ranked #1 compared to Katherine at #175 in the United States.

What do Katherine and Liam mean?

Katherine means "pure" (Greek origin). Liam means "strong-willed warrior" (Irish origin).

Are Katherine and Liam boy or girl names?

Katherine is primarily a girl name. Liam is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Katherine ← Full profile: Liam Browse all baby names