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Home › Baby Names Directory › Katharina

Katharina

♀ Girl

Pronounced kah-tah-REE-nah /ˌkɑ.tɑˈri.nə/Medium

Meaning: A German/Latin form of Katherine — from Greek Aikaterine, long associated (via katharos, 'pure') with the meaning 'pure'; the older root is uncertainLow

In 30 seconds: Pure: Katharina is a German form of Katherine. Lyrical, classic, and warm (said 'kah-tah-REE-nah').
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Origin LowGreek, German
MeaningA German/Latin form of Katherine — from Greek Aikaterine, long associated (via katharos, 'pure') with the meaning 'pure'; the older root is uncertain
U.S. rank (2025)#6440 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births18 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1991
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,120

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199318812025

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

Katharina is a German/Latin form of Katherine — from Greek Aikaterine, long associated (via katharos, 'pure') with the meaning 'pure' (the older root is uncertain, which we note). A lyrical, classic name (said 'kah-tah-REE-nah'; nickname Katja).

In the U.S. it appears in German families. Rare, pure at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Katherine has long been read 'pure' (via Greek katharos) — Katharina is the German/Latin form, lyrical and classic (the older root is uncertain, which we note; said 'kah-tah-REE-nah').
Overall data confidence 46%
References — Katherine — meaning 'pure' via katharos

Variations

KatherinaCatharinaKatarina

Nicknames

Katja

Famous Bearers

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If you like Katharina…

Katarina— a kin spelling
Katherine— the standard form
Katrina— a sound-neighbor -rina girls' name
Karolina— another -ina classic girls' name

Explore names like Katharina

By themeuncertaingreekgerman
By meaningPurity

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Katharina mean?

Katharina is a German form of Katherine — long read 'pure' (via Greek katharos); the older root is uncertain.

How do you pronounce Katharina?

It's said kah-tah-REE-nah /ˌkɑ.tɑˈri.nə/ — four syllables, stress on the third.

Is Katharina a boy or girl name?

Katharina is a girl's name.

How popular is Katharina?

Katharina is a rare name in the U.S.

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