Katharine
Katharine is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Pure.
Origin and history
Katharine is a classic feminine name derived from the Greek name Aikaterine, traditionally associated with the concept of purity. It has a long historical presence in the English-speaking world, famous for its association with royalty, literature, and cinema. While Katherine and Catherine are more common spellings today, Katharine remains a recognizable and enduring traditional variant.
Popularity in the United States
41,230 babies in the United States have been named Katharine since 1880. It ranks #674 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1894.
States where it is most popular
- NY (11.5 %)
- CA (11.3 %)
- PA (8.7 %)
- MA (5.8 %)
- IL (5.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 896 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,297 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,246 |
| 1910-1920 | 2,854 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,572 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,724 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,789 |
| 1950-1960 | 3,712 |
| 1960-1970 | 3,114 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,848 |
| 1980-1990 | 7,860 |
| 1990-2000 | 5,315 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,881 |
| 2010-2019 | 915 |
| 2020-2029 | 207 |
Famous people named Katharine
- Katharine Hepburn: Actress
- Katharine Graham: Publisher, Author
- Katharine McPhee: Singer, Actress
Nicknames
Kate, Kathy, Katie, Kat, Kay
Fun facts
- Actress Katharine Hepburn brought great visibility to this specific spelling, winning four Academy Awards during her career.
- The 'a' spelling variant retains the classic Greek vocalic rhythm, distinguishing it from the more common 'Katherine' or 'Catherine'.