Declining since 1992, #6,325 for girls today.
Popularity of Katharina since 1881
Babies named Katharina per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1991, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Katharina's real moment was 1881.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 52 |
| 1890s | 40 |
| 1900s | 25 |
| 1910s | 45 |
| 1920s | 30 |
| 1930s | 12 |
| 1940s | 11 |
| 1950s | 128 |
| 1960s | 231 |
| 1970s | 158 |
| 1980s | 269 |
| 1990s | 451 |
| 2000s | 350 |
| 2010s | 214 |
| 2020s | 105 |
Meaning & origin
Katharina is a classic feminine name of Greek origin, meaning pure. It is a variant of Katherine, widespread in German, Dutch, and Scandinavian cultures. In the United States, the name has been in use since at least 1881, when it first appeared in Social Security records ranking 6325. Its peak popularity occurred in 1881, and it has generally seen declining usage, with a notable decrease beginning around 1992. As of 2025, it remains a relatively rare choice, given to about 1 in 89,293 newborns. The name is not associated with any particular U.S. state, as top states data is unavailable. Its trajectory suggests it is a name with historical roots that appeals to families seeking a traditional European name.
Katharina is a German, Dutch, and Scandinavian form of Katherine, ultimately from the Greek Aikaterine. The name's meaning is traditionally associated with the Greek word katharos, meaning pure. It has been in use across Europe since the Middle Ages, often linked to the early Christian saint Catherine of Alexandria.
“Katharina” around the world
Where Katharina lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kathi, Käthe, Rina, Kat
Sibling names for Katharina
Names that share Katharina's style, for a brother or sister.
