Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Catalina

Catalina is the Spanish equivalent of Catherine. The etymology of Catherine is debated, but the earliest derivative of the name is most likely the Greek Hekaterine, stemming from “hekateros” meaning “the far reaching one”, suggesting that Catherine shares her roots with the Greek Titan goddess Hekátē (Hecate). In ancient Greek mythology, the Titans were overthrown by their descendent Olympian gods and goddesses, yet Zeus held Hecate in such high regard, he allowed her to remain and preserve her magical powers over humanity. Mythologies around Hecate vary greatly (as do many ancient legends). For more information, see literary references on the Catherine page. The Greek Hecate may also be connected to the Egyptian goddess of childbirth (Heqet). The “h” in Katerine was added much later in order to connect the name with the Greek “katharos” meaning “pure, clear, innocent” (which gave us the English word “catharsis” meaning to purge or cleanse). This Christian-driven folk etymology is apropos given the influence of the 4th century saint Catherine of Alexandria, Egypt who was revered for ideals of innocence and purity (see historical references on the Catherine page). The name Catherine is generally considered the French form of the name, while Katherine is used more typically among English speakers. Catalina is the Spanish equivalent and is most popular in the South American countries of Chile and Argentina. The Italians and Portuguese use Catarina as opposed to Catalina. Romanians use Catalina, too, but it looks more like this: Cătălina.

All About the Baby Name – Catalina

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME CATALINA

The number Seven personality is deeply mystical and highly in tune with their spirituality. They operate on a different wavelength than the average joe. Spending time alone comes easily to Sevens, as it gives them time to contemplate philosophical, religious and spiritual ideas in an effort to find "real truth".  Sevens are wise, but often exude mystery as if they are tapped into something the rest of us don't understand. They love the outdoors and are fed by nature. Sevens are constantly seeking to understand human nature, our place in the universe, and the mystery of life in general. This makes them quite artistic and poetic, but they are also keen observers with high intellect - so they are equally scientific-minded. Sevens are charitable and care deeply about the human condition.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME CATALINA

Remarkably, considering how prevalent the names Catherine and Katherine are in the United States, Catalina has not generally experienced the same success among Hispanic-Americans. First appearing on the U.S. female naming charts in 1920, Catalina resided near the bottom of the charts for about a decade and then retreated back into the shadows. Her hiatus from usage would last for over 50 consecutive years before returning to the charts in 1989. What’s interesting is that Catalina is actually improving in usage since the turn of the 21st century. Typically we’ve been seeing Spanish-influenced names dropping in popularity in this new century (mainly because second and third generation Hispanic-American parents are showing a pattern of using non-Spanish more mainstream American names). Catalina seems to be bucking this trend, although it’s still not a super common name by any means. Catalina is a beautiful Spanish name with fancy four-syllables, but it can easily be truncated to the slyly mysterious and playful “Cat”.

Quick Facts

ON CATALINA

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

Spanish

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

4

RANKING POPULARITY:

395

PRONUNCIATION:

ka-tә-LEE-na

SIMPLE MEANING:

Pure one, innocent

Characteristics

OF CATALINA

Mystical

Wise

Eccentric

Intuitive

Imaginative

Philosophical

Solitary

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Catalina

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME CATALINA

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME CATALINA

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Catalina


Popular Songs

ON CATALINA

Catalina La Coja
a song by Los Silver Star

Catalina Kiss
a song by Acoustic Alchemy

Catalina
a song by Nils

Catalina Magdalena
a song by Jennifer Rose

Catalina La O
a song by Pete El Conde Rodriguez

Famous People

NAMED CATALINA

Catalina Castaño (Columbian tennis player)
Catalina Sandino Moreno (Columbian actress)
Catalina Guirado (English model/TV personality)
Cătălina Ponor (Romanian gymnast)
Catalina Robayo (Columbian beauty queen), Catalina de Aragon (Spanish name of Catherine of Aragon
Henry VIII’s first wife)

Children of Famous People

NAMED CATALINA

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Catalina

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME CATALINA

Known as Catherine of Aragon to English-speakers, Catalina de Aragón was the Spanish born first wife of King Henry VIII. Catalina was a Princess of Spain when she came to England in 1501 to marry into the royal family (as such were predestined political alliances of the day). As Henry VIII’s first wife, Catalina de Aragón was unable to produce a male heir beyond infancy, and so the King quickly tired of her. In the meantime, old Henry knocked-up his mistress Anne Boleyn. Certain that the pregnant Anne was carrying his male heir and the future King of England, Henry VIII went to the Pope and requested his marriage to Catalina be annulled so he could swap “I Dos” with Miss Boleyn. But the devoutly Catholic Catalina de Aragón was having none of that. Fortunately, she had her own “friends in high places” (her nephew was the Holy Roman Emperor after all), so the Church refused the annulment in her favor. When the King divorced Catalina and married Anne Boleyn anyway, he was promptly excommunicated. Furious, King Henry VIII broke ties with Rome and took control of the Church of England – setting in motion the English Reformation (an event which would have far-reaching impacts on European history). All because little Catalina refused him a divorce (oh, those Sagitarrian ladies are so stubborn in their ways!). Catalina de Aragón and her one surviving daughter, Mary I of England, were banished from the English court yet remained steadfast loyal to Roman Catholicism.