Kateri
MeaningCatherine · Mohawk
Kateri is a Native American girl name meaning “Catherine”, with Mohawk roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Kateri has the name Kate hiding inside it.
- Word funKateri doesn't repeat a single letter: 6 letters, all different.
- GenerationKateri peaked in 1980, which makes it a Gen X name. The typical Kateri you'd meet today is about 45 years old. Now it's back in style, so there's a whole new generation of baby Kateris too.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Kateri would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 50,251 baby girls got the name in 2025.
- HistoryKateri first shows up in US birth records in 1937, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 88 years since.
US births per million girls, 1937–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Kateri
Kateri is a girl name of Native American origin meaning “Catherine”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It hit its peak in the 1980s and is climbing again now. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Native American names
More Native American girl names
- Girl name: Savannah · treeless plain
- Unisex name: Dakota · friend, ally
- Girl name: Winona · firstborn daughter
- Girl name: Nayla · achiever, winner
- Girl name: Savanna · treeless grassland
- Girl name: Kaydence · rhythm
- Unisex name: Mika · often beautiful fragrance
- Unisex name: Sora · sky
Questions about the name Kateri
What does the name Kateri mean?
Kateri means “Catherine” and comes from Mohawk.
What is the origin of the name Kateri?
Kateri is Native American in origin, and its meaning traces back to Mohawk. Other Native American names to consider are Savannah (“treeless plain”), Dakota (“friend, ally”), Winona (“firstborn daughter”) and Nayla (“achiever, winner”).
Is Kateri a boy or girl name?
Kateri is a girl name. In 2025, 32 US girls were named Kateri.
How popular is the name Kateri?
Kateri ranked #4,352 for US girls in 2025, given to 32 babies. Its best year was 1980, when it reached #1,720. Over the last five years it has climbed 6 places.
What should I know before naming my baby Kateri?
Kateri is a Native American girl name meaning “Catherine”, with Mohawk roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.