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Katrin

♀ Girl

Pronounced kah-TREEN /kɑːˈtriːn/Medium

Meaning: Katrin is a German and Scandinavian short form of Katharina — the continental form of Katherine — from the Greek Aikaterine, long associated with katharos, 'pure'. It is a genuine European heritage form rather than an American coinage.Medium

In 30 seconds: Katrin is the crisp German and Scandinavian form of Katherine, meaning 'pure' (said 'kah-TREEN').

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Origin MediumGerman, Greek

MeaningKatrin is a German and Scandinavian short form of Katharina — the continental form of Katherine — from the Greek Aikaterine, long associated with katharos, 'pure'. It is a genuine European heritage form rather than an American coinage.

U.S. rank (2023)#16352 ↘ Falling

2023 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1977

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,091

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

Katrin is a short form of Katharina used across German-speaking and Scandinavian Europe, part of the vast family descended from the Greek Aikaterine. That name has for centuries been linked to katharos, 'pure', and Katrin carries the meaning in a clean, two-syllable European shape.

In America it has always been rare, borne largely by families of German or Scandinavian heritage and reaching a modest peak in the late nineteen-seventies. A Katrin here may be of the boomer or Gen-X cohort; abroad it remains a living standard, while in the U.S. it stays an uncommon heritage form.

Did you know? Katrin is the everyday German and Swedish shortening of Katharina, so in Europe it stands on its own the way Kathy or Kate does in English.

Overall data confidence 70%

References — Katrin — German/Scandinavian form of Katharina

Variations

KatharinaKatrinaCatrin

Nicknames

KatKateTrin

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Katrin…

Katrina— the fuller form and close cousin

Katharina— the German parent name

Karin— a fellow Scandinavian Katherine short form

Kerrin— a similarly popular pick

Korin— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Katrin

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Katrin mean?

Katrin is a German and Scandinavian short form of Katharina, from the Greek katharos, meaning 'pure'.

How do you pronounce Katrin?

It's said kah-TREEN /kɑːˈtriːn/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Katrin a boy or girl name?

Katrin is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Katrin?

Katrin is rare in the U.S., a German and Scandinavian heritage form of Katherine.