Kateri
/gah-DEH-lee/
Kateri is a Mohawk (Kanienʼkehá꞉ka) girl's name pronounced /gah-DEH-lee/. A celebrated name meaning pure, famously associated with Saint Kateri Tekakwitha.
Meaning of Kateri
A celebrated name meaning pure, famously associated with Saint Kateri Tekakwitha.
Kateri is the Mohawk (Kanienʼkehá꞉ka) pronunciation of the French name Catherine. It is derived from the Greek name Aikaterine, which is traditionally associated with the word 'katharos,' meaning pure.
- Origin
- Mohawk (Kanienʼkehá꞉ka)
- Pronunciation
- /gah-DEH-lee/
Cultural background
The name is primarily used within Catholic and Indigenous communities in North America to honor Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. It remains a symbolic choice for families seeking to blend Mohawk heritage with religious tradition.
Variations & nicknames
- Katery
- Katari
- Katia
- Kate
- Kateriina
Famous people named Kateri
Well-known namesakes — celebrities, historical figures and characters.
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
The first Native American woman to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church.
Religion · 1656–1680
Kateri Walker
An American actress known for her roles in films like The New World and Windtalkers.
Film · 1990s–present
Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm
An Anishinaabe writer, poet, and founder of the Indigenous publishing house Kegedonce Press.
Literature · 1990s–present
Kateri Champagne Jourdain
A Quebec politician and the first Innu woman elected to the National Assembly of Quebec.
Politics · 2020s–present
Frequently asked about Kateri
- What does Kateri mean?
- Kateri means 'pure.' It is the Mohawk adaptation of the name Catherine, sharing the same etymological roots.
- How do you pronounce Kateri?
- It is most commonly pronounced as gah-deh-LEE in the Mohawk language, or ka-TEER-ee in English-speaking contexts.
- Is Kateri a boy or girl name?
- Kateri is traditionally and exclusively a girl's name.
- Who is the most famous person named Kateri?
- The most famous figure is Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, also known as the 'Lily of the Mohawks.'
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