Names That Mean Pure
Across 6 pages
of 6
Kalena
Hawaiian or Danish variation of Katherine or Karen
"pure"
Kalena is one of those names that has a pleasant-if-synthetic feel. Research turns up a range of origins and meanings, but the most reliable peg it as a derivation of Katherine.
Kitten
English word name, diminutive of Katherine, Greek
"young cat; pure"
You've gotta be kitten.
Cáit
Irish
"pure"
Irish form of Kate, short for Caitlín or Catherine.
Kata
Diminutive of Katariina, Finnish, and Katalin, Hungarian
"pure"
A European nickname for Katherine variations.
Ryn
Variation of Rynn, English
"pure"
A great middle name option to honor a Kathryn. Coco Rocha used it for her daughter Iley's middle name.
Amena
Celtic
"honest, utterly pure"
A possible Born Again name -- Amen -- in the same class as the still-popular Nevaeh (that's Heaven spelled backwards) and Trinity.
Zeki
Turkish; Ethiopian, Amharic
"clever, intelligent; pure"
This mini name is more spunky than Zack or Zeke, but shares those well-loved sounds. In Ethiopia, Zeki means "pure", and is pronounced "zeh-KEE", with emphasis on the second syllable. With the rise…
Caitlin
Irish variation of Catherine
"pure"
An Irish and Welsh form of Catherine, Caitlin was a boom name of the eighties, rocketing from obscurity (Americans first heard it via the wife of doomed poet Dylan Thomas) to the height of popularity…
Caitriona
Gaelic variation of Catherine
"pure"
Both Caitriona and Catriona are commonly heard in Scotland and Ireland. The name was brought to Ireland by the Anglo-Normans, and is the source of nicknames Cait, Caitin, Caitlin and Triona. Actress…
Catriona
Scottish form of Katherine, Greek
"pure"
This Katherine variation, used through Ireland and Scotland, is pronounced like Katrina. The name became popular after the Crusaders brought home stories about the colorful fourth century martyr,…
Karen
Danish variation of Katherine, Japanese
"pure; lotus flower"
Karen, a once sweet Danish import, was so popular during the baby boom (Karen was Number 3 in 1960) that it's become a mem in recent years, representing a hostile white woman—one who usually wants to…
Caryn
Spelling variation of Karen, Danish variation of Katherine
"pure"
Modernized spelling not enough to revive Karen.
Kathy
English diminutive of Katherine, Greek
"pure"
There are lots of Kathy moms and grandmas but very few babies, most of whom are now called Kate or Katie.
Cate
English diminutive of Catherine
"pure"
Time was, even C-starting Catherines who called themselves Kate spelled it with a K, but Cate Blanchett changed all. Cate is now as acceptable as (but not as well used as) Kate. Cait might be short…
Kat
English diminutive of Katherine, Greek
"pure"
We're hearing Kat more and more being used by Katherines who are tired of Kathy, Kate and Katie. Katti or Kattie is another possibility.
Kathleen
Anglicized form of Irish Caitlin
"pure"
Kathleen is the early Irish import version that came between Katherine and Kaitlin, and which hasn't been used in so long it's almost beginning to sound fresh again. It was a surprise pick by one of…
Cathy
English diminutive of Catherine, Greek
"pure"
One of the most popular nicknames of the fifties and sixties — and who could forget the romantic heroine of "Wuthering Heights"? — now largely ignored in favor of Cate or Kate.