Kaja

♀ Girl

Pronounced KY-ah /ˈkaɪ.ɑ/Medium

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

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

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Origin LowScandinavian, Greek

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

U.S. rank (2025)#6973 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births16 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2009

Total births (all-time)≈ 710

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

Kaja is a Scandinavian and Slavic 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 Scandinavia, Slovenia, and Poland (said 'KY-ah'; the full name is Katarina).

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

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

Overall data confidence 55%

Behind the Name — Kaja — routes layered

Variations

KaiaKatarinaKaija

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kaja…

Kaia— a fellow spelling/sound

Maja— a sound-neighbor Scandinavian girls' name

Freja— a companion Scandinavian girls' name

Katarina— the full name

Explore names like Kaja

By themeuncertain greek nickname-name scandinavian

By meaningPurity

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Kaja mean?

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

How do you pronounce Kaja?

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

Is Kaja a boy or girl name?

Kaja is a girl's name.

How popular is Kaja?

Kaja is a rare name in the U.S.