Katharine
Katharine: name meaning, origin and popularity
Meaning and origin of Katharine
- A female given name from Ancient Greek.
Etymology
A variant spelling of Catherine, based on the folk etymology that it would derive from Greek καθαρός (katharos "pure").
How popular is Katharine?
Since 1880, 41,230 girls and 11 boys in the U.S. have been named Katharine (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #172 in 1880. Its highest rank for boys was #5979 in 1984. In 2025, 27 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Katharine
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Greek girl names
Sibling name ideas for Katharine
Sister and brother names that share Katharine's Greek roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Katharine FAQ
What does the name Katharine mean?
A female given name from Ancient Greek. A variant spelling of Catherine, based on the folk etymology that it would derive from Greek καθαρός (katharos "pure").
What is the origin of the name Katharine?
Katharine is listed as a name of Greek origin.
How popular is the name Katharine?
Since 1880, 41,230 girls and 11 boys in the U.S. have been named Katharine (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #172 in 1880. Its highest rank for boys was #5979 in 1984. In 2025, 27 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Katharine a boy or girl name?
Katharine is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 41,230 girls and 11 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.