Katharine
How to say it: KATH-rin · /ˈkæθrɪn/
Variant of Katherine, from Greek 'Aikaterine'; linked to 'katharos' meaning 'pure, clear', though exact etymology is disputed.
Katharine was the 104th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 27 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1880s, its births are down about 52% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #158 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #104 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 27 |
| Share of births | 1 in 1,071 |
| Peak decade | 1880s |
| Change over 10 years | −52% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #158 |
| In France, 2025 | #894 among girls’ names, 0 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Katharine peaked in the 1880s and is less common today.
What goes with it
Parents who love Katharine also love
Nicknames
- Kate
- Kath
- Kathy
- Katy
- Kat
Honouring a Katharine in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Katharine is about 1 in 45.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, German, Greek.
In France: #894 for girls in 2025.
Famous people named Katharine
- Katharine Hepburn (1907–2003)American actress
- Katharine Ross (born 1940)American actress
- Katharine McPhee (born 1984)American recording artist, singer and songwriter
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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