Girl
Katharine
pure, clear
About Katharine
This classic name exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. Katharine carries an air of refinement that has graced royalty, literary heroines, and accomplished women throughout history. The name possesses a distinctive quality through its traditional spelling, setting it apart from more common variations. Parents who choose Katharine often appreciate its versatility—it adapts beautifully from childhood through adulthood, lending itself to numerous endearing nicknames while maintaining its dignified full form. The name suggests intelligence, grace, and inner strength, qualities that resonate across generations. Its enduring popularity speaks to its universal appeal, never feeling dated or trendy. Katharine strikes an ideal balance between familiarity and distinction, offering a child both recognition and individuality. The name has adorned celebrated actresses, writers, and influential figures, creating a legacy of achievement and cultural significance that continues to inspire.
Popularity of the Name Katharine
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | New Zealand | Ireland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #172 | ||||
| 1881 | #182 | ||||
| 1882 | #175 | ||||
| 1883 | #191 | ||||
| 1884 | #203 | ||||
| 1885 | #223 | ||||
| 1886 | #210 | ||||
| 1887 | #191 | ||||
| 1888 | #223 | ||||
| 1889 | #211 | ||||
| 1890 | #226 | ||||
| 1891 | #224 | ||||
| 1892 | #238 | ||||
| 1893 | #233 | ||||
| 1894 | #224 | ||||
| 1895 | #229 | ||||
| 1896 | #225 | ||||
| 1897 | #228 | ||||
| 1898 | #270 | ||||
| 1899 | #287 | ||||
| 1900 | #273 | ||||
| 1901 | #294 | ||||
| 1902 | #334 | ||||
| 1903 | #278 | ||||
| 1904 | #309 | ||||
| 1905 | #306 | ||||
| 1906 | #288 | ||||
| 1907 | #316 | ||||
| 1908 | #283 | ||||
| 1909 | #299 | ||||
| 1910 | #307 | ||||
| 1911 | #326 | ||||
| 1912 | #279 | ||||
| 1913 | #309 | ||||
| 1914 | #307 | ||||
| 1915 | #319 | ||||
| 1916 | #334 | ||||
| 1917 | #330 | ||||
| 1918 | #334 | ||||
| 1919 | #341 | ||||
| 1920 | #351 | ||||
| 1921 | #370 | ||||
| 1922 | #382 | ||||
| 1923 | #409 | ||||
| 1924 | #429 | ||||
| 1925 | #453 | ||||
| 1926 | #473 | ||||
| 1927 | #465 | ||||
| 1928 | #483 | ||||
| 1929 | #484 | ||||
| 1930 | #469 | ||||
| 1931 | #502 | ||||
| 1932 | #496 | ||||
| 1933 | #514 | ||||
| 1934 | #500 | ||||
| 1935 | #484 | ||||
| 1936 | #475 | ||||
| 1937 | #523 | ||||
| 1938 | #529 | ||||
| 1939 | #496 | ||||
| 1940 | #544 | ||||
| 1941 | #469 | ||||
| 1942 | #462 | ||||
| 1943 | #445 | ||||
| 1944 | #454 | ||||
| 1945 | #424 | ||||
| 1946 | #447 | ||||
| 1947 | #437 | ||||
| 1948 | #435 | ||||
| 1949 | #422 | ||||
| 1950 | #414 | ||||
| 1951 | #465 | ||||
| 1952 | #453 | ||||
| 1953 | #462 | ||||
| 1954 | #492 | ||||
| 1955 | #439 | ||||
| 1956 | #456 | ||||
| 1957 | #469 | ||||
| 1958 | #474 | ||||
| 1959 | #511 | ||||
| 1960 | #562 | ||||
| 1961 | #543 | #196 | |||
| 1962 | #578 | #267 | |||
| 1963 | #558 | #257 | |||
| 1964 | #584 | #318 | |||
| 1965 | #566 | #343 | |||
| 1966 | #544 | ||||
| 1967 | #582 | #318 | |||
| 1968 | #504 | #368 | |||
| 1969 | #509 | ||||
| 1970 | #491 | #324 | #382 | ||
| 1971 | #558 | #370 | #519 | ||
| 1972 | #539 | #350 | |||
| 1973 | #587 | #431 | |||
| 1974 | #505 | #388 | #456 | ||
| 1975 | #517 | ||||
| 1976 | #494 | ||||
| 1977 | #455 | #311 | |||
| 1978 | #467 | ||||
| 1979 | #361 | ||||
| 1980 | #397 | #599 | |||
| 1981 | #306 | #580 | |||
| 1982 | #262 | ||||
| 1983 | #281 | #367 | |||
| 1984 | #284 | ||||
| 1985 | #293 | #334 | #402 | ||
| 1986 | #275 | ||||
| 1987 | #337 | #465 | |||
| 1988 | #327 | ||||
| 1989 | #393 | ||||
| 1990 | #401 | ||||
| 1991 | #375 | #442 | |||
| 1992 | #362 | #581 | #456 | ||
| 1993 | #389 | #483 | |||
| 1994 | #467 | #476 | #555 | ||
| 1995 | #520 | #483 | #488 | ||
| 1996 | #541 | #501 | #638 | ||
| 1997 | #572 | #266 | #557 | ||
| 1998 | #548 | #319 | #620 | ||
| 1999 | #709 | #323 | #796 | ||
| 2000 | #669 | #350 | #939 | ||
| 2001 | #728 | #485 | #932 | ||
| 2002 | #809 | #445 | |||
| 2003 | #697 | #599 | #753 | ||
| 2004 | #790 | #566 | #843 | ||
| 2005 | #842 | #796 | #926 | ||
| 2006 | #907 | #895 | |||
| 2007 | #897 | ||||
| 2008 | #846 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · New Zealand · Ireland · Canada
Variations of Name Katharine
Names Similar to Katharine
Nicknames for Katharine
- Kate
- Kat
- Katie
- Kathy
Famous People Named Katharine
| Katharine Hepburn | Legendary actress |
| Katharine McPhee | Singer and actress |
| Katharine Graham | Former owner of The Washington Post |
| Katharine Ross | Actress known for "The Graduate" |
| Katharine Hamnett | Fashion designer and activist |
| Katharine Isabelle | Canadian actress |
| Katharine Jefferts Schori | Former Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church |
| Katharine Weber | Novelist and professor |
| Katharine Towne | Actress from "Evolution" and "The Bachelor" |
| Katharine Lee Bates | Author of "America the Beautiful" |
| Katharine Butler Hathaway | American diarist and writer |
| Katharine Esson Clugston | Pioneering American chemist |
| Katharine Drexel | Roman Catholic saint and philanthropist |
| Katharine Lane Weems | American sculptor |
| Katharine Fullerton Gerould | American author and essayist |
| Katharine Susannah Prichard | Australian author |
| Katharine Jefferts | American oceanographer and marine biologist |
| Katharine Whitehorn | British journalist and columnist |
| Katharine Hayhoe | Climate scientist and educator |
| Katharine Kerr | Fantasy novelist |
Characters Named Katharine
| Katharine Clifton | "The English Patient" by Michael Ondaatje |
| Katharine "Kitty" Bennet | "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen |
| Katharine Hillard | "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" |
| Katharine Isabelle "Kate" Fuller | "From Dusk Till Dawn - The Series" |
| Katharine "Kathy" H | "Misery" by Stephen King |
| Katharine "Kit" Tyler | "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare |
| Katharine "Kitten" Agresta | "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver |
| Katharine "Kathy" Coleman | "Land of the Lost" |
| Katharine "Kathy" Nicolo | "A Walk on the Moon" |
| Katharine "Kathy" Duquesne | "The Girl with All the Gifts" by M.R. Carey |
| Katharine "Kat" Stratford | "10 Things I Hate About You" |
| Katharine "Katie" Price | "The Babysitters Club" series by Ann M. Martin |
| Katharine "Kathy" Winslow | "Dolphin Tale" movies |
| Katharine "Kate" Austen | "Lost" TV series |
| Katharine "Kitty" March | "The Big Sleep" by Raymond Chandler |
| Katharine "Kitty" Genovese | Inspiration behind psychological studies |
| Katharine "Kathy" Lutz | "The Amityville Horror" |
| Katharine "Kat" Edison | "The Bold Type" TV series |
| Katharine "Kath" Carver | "The Bone People" by Keri Hulme |
| Katharine "Kathy" Black | "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro |