Kaija

♀ Girl

Pronounced KY-ah /ˈkaɪ.ɑ/Medium

Meaning: A Finnish and Scandinavian pet form of Katarina (Katherine) — ultimately from Greek, 'pure'; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Pure: Kaija pets Katarina — 'pure'. Crisp, lyrical, and warm (said 'KY-ah').

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Origin LowScandinavian, Greek

MeaningA Finnish and Scandinavian pet form of Katarina (Katherine) — ultimately from Greek, 'pure'; routes layered

U.S. rank (2025)#7663 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births14 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2002

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,028

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Kaija is a Finnish and Scandinavian pet form of Katarina — the local form of Katherine, traditionally linked to Greek katharos, 'pure' (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, lyrical name across Finland and Scandinavia (said 'KY-ah'; the full name is Katarina).

In the U.S. it appears in Finnish and Scandinavian families. Rare, pure at the root, and lyrical.

Did you know? Katherine is traditionally read as 'pure' (Greek katharos) — Kaija is its crisp Finnish/Scandinavian pet form, lyrical and modern (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'KY-ah').

Overall data confidence 55%

References — Kaija — routes layered

Variations

KajaKaiaKatarina

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kaija…

Kaja— a fellow spelling/sound

Kaia— a fellow spelling

Anja— lands in the same popularity range

Jorja— another Greek name

Maja— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Kaija

By themeuncertain greek nickname-name scandinavian

By meaningPurity

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Kaija mean?

Kaija pets Katarina (Katherine) — traditionally 'pure'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Kaija?

It's said KY-ah /ˈkaɪ.ɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kaija a boy or girl name?

Kaija is a girl's name.

How popular is Kaija?

Kaija is a rare name in the U.S.