"pure"
Origin: Greek via Mohawk
Language: Mohawk
Kateri
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The Lily of the Mohawks — pure, resilient, sacred
Native American
Mohawk
Catholic
American
Spiritual
Unique
Earthy
Traditional
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"pure one"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
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The Story of Kateri
Kateri is the Mohawk form of Catherine, which derives from the Greek 'katharos' meaning 'pure'. The name was given to a Mohawk girl at her Catholic baptism in 1676, when she took the name of Catherine. This was Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-1680), who grew up to become the first Native American canonized as a Catholic saint. The Mohawk phonetic system transformed Catherine into Kateri, creating a uniquely Native American name with roots in both Indigenous and Catholic traditions.
Kateri gained recognition particularly after Kateri Tekakwitha's beatification in 1980 and her canonization by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. The name is popular among Native American families honoring their heritage and among Catholic families celebrating the first Native American saint.
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, called the 'Lily of the Mohawks', is a figure of profound significance in both Mohawk culture and Catholicism. She represents the intersection of Indigenous identity and Catholic faith, and her canonization was celebrated across North America as a historic moment.
Historical Record
Kateri first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 2,482 babies have been named Kateri in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kateri is past its peak , currently ranked #3,971 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saint Kateri Tekakwitha was canonized in 2012, becoming the first Native American saint in the Roman Catholic Church
- She is the patroness of ecology and the environment in the United States
Kateri in Other Languages
Greek
Αικατερίνη
French
Catherine
English
Catherine
Italian
Caterina
Spanish
Catalina
Popularity Over Time
#3,971
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1980
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Kateri
K
Kateri Tekakwitha
Religious
1656
Mohawk Catholic laywoman canonized in 2012 as the first Native American saint, known as the Lily of the Mohawks
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Compare Kateri with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #3,971
- Total SSA Count
- 37
- Cultural Origins
- Native American Mohawk Catholic American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Kate
Kati
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, American heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kateri
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kateri
What does the name Kateri mean?
"pure" (from Greek via Mohawk). "pure one" (from Greek). Kateri is the Mohawk form of Catherine, which derives from the Greek 'katharos' meaning 'pure'. The name was given to a Mohawk girl at her Catholic baptism in 1676, when she took the name of Catherine. This was Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-1680), who grew up to become the first Native American canonized as a Catholic saint. The Mohawk phonetic system transformed Catherine into Kateri, creating a uniquely Native American name with roots in both Indigenous and Catholic traditions.
What is the origin of the name Kateri?
Kateri has Greek via Mohawk, Greek, Native American, Mohawk, Catholic, and American origins. In Greek via Mohawk, it means "pure". In Greek, it means "pure one".
Is Kateri a boy or girl name?
Kateri is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Kateri?
Kateri is currently ranked #3971 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Kateri?
Common nicknames for Kateri include Kate and Kati.
What are good middle names for Kateri?
Popular middle name pairings include Kateri Rose, Kateri Dawn, Kateri Marie, Kateri Lynn, and Kateri Ann.
What are good sibling names for Kateri?
Names that pair well with Kateri as siblings include Aiyana, Kaya, Dakota, Cheyenne, and Takoda.
How many syllables does Kateri have?
Kateri has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Kateri a common or rare name?
Kateri is an uncommon name, ranked #3971 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Kateri?
About the Name Kateri
Kateri is a girl name with Native American, Mohawk, Catholic, and American origins . The name means "pure" in Greek via Mohawk .
Kateri is currently ranked #3,971 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Kateri has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Kateri include Kate and Kati. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Kateri include Kate, Katelyn, Katerina, Katelynn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis