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Katalina

♀ Girl

Pronounced kah-tah-LEE-nah /ˌkɑː.tɑːˈliː.nə/High

Meaning: Spanish variant of Catalina, itself the Spanish form of Katherine, from Greek Aikaterine possibly meaning pure or relating to the torture wheel of Saint CatherineHigh

In 30 seconds: Katalina is a lush Spanish variant of Katherine meaning 'pure' — a name with saintly Greek roots that takes on an exotic, sun-drenched warmth in its Spanish form.
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Origin HighSpanish, Greek
MeaningSpanish variant of Catalina, itself the Spanish form of Katherine, from Greek Aikaterine possibly meaning pure or relating to the torture wheel of Saint Catherine
U.S. rank (2025)#430 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births720 girls (0.04% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 8,722

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202519712025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Katalina is a variant spelling of Spanish Catalina, the Spanish form of Katherine (Greek Aikaterine). Saint Catherine of Alexandria was martyred on a spiked wheel, and her name became one of the most popular in medieval Christendom.

Katalina has appeared on U.S. birth records as a distinctive alternative to Catalina and Katarina, offering the same warmth with a K spelling that signals American usage.

Did you know? Santa Catalina Island off the coast of California was named by Spanish explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1542, on the feast day of Saint Catherine — giving this spelling of the name an iconic American geographic association.
Overall data confidence 88%
Behind the Name — Catalina — etymology for parent nameU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

CatalinaKatarinaKatherineCatarina

Nicknames

KataLinaKati

Famous Bearers

  • ★Catalina Island (named 1542)
    Island off the coast of Southern California, named by Spanish explorer Cabrillo on the feast day of Saint Catherine.

If you like Katalina…

Catalina— the most common Spanish spelling of the same name, differing only in K vs C
Valentina— shares the grand four-syllable Spanish Latinate elegance
Carolina— parallel Spanish four-syllable name with the same flowing femininity
Adriana— shares the melodic Spanish heritage and similar four-syllable sweep

Frequently Asked

What does the name Katalina mean?

Katalina means pure from Greek Aikaterine through Spanish Catalina.

How do you pronounce Katalina?

It is said kah-tah-LEE-nah /ˌkɑː.tɑːˈliː.nə/ — four syllables, stress on the third.

Is Katalina the same as Catalina?

Yes, Katalina is a K-spelling variant of Catalina; both are Spanish forms of Katherine.

What are nicknames for Katalina?

Common short forms include Kata, Lina, and Kati.