Ladylike Names: Catherine

CATHERINE

Gender: Female

Origin: English and French from the original Greek

Meaning: "pure"

Common Nicknames: Kitty is the most common in Jane Austen's works but Kate and Kathy were also common in this era.

Regency Popularity: Very commonly used in this era and in Jane Austen's works.

Jane Austen Usage:

• Northanger Abbey - Catherine Morland is the seventeen-year-old heroine of the book. She is the oldest daughter of Rev. & Mrs. Morland and younger sister of James Morland. Although naive she is sweet and quickly gains the heart of Henry Tilney.
• Pride and Prejudice - Miss Catherine Bennet, usually called Kitty, is the fourth born Bennet sister. Although she follows her flighty younger sister Lydia, Jane Austen intimates at the end of the story that she will mature and be more sensible.  
• Pride and Prejudice - Lady Catherine de Bourgh is Mr Collins' patron, Mr. Darcy's aunt and mother to Miss Anne de Bourgh.
• Lady Susan - Mrs. Catherine Vernon is married to Charles Vernon making her the sister-in-law of Lady Susan vernon. She is the daughter of Sir Reginald and Lady De Courcey, sister of Mr. Reginald De Courcey and mother of several children.