Katharina

Meaning of Katharina

With its lyrical German pronunciation kah-tah-REE-nah, Katharina feels like a hidden gem tucked into a family tree that stretches from ancient Greece to medieval courts. As the German form of Katherine—originally from the Greek katharos, “pure”—this name carries a whisper of saintly grace (think Catherine of Alexandria) and a dash of royal flair (hello, Catherine the Great!). It’s just elegant enough to stand out at the school recital, yet playful enough that big sister “Kat” can slip in on Sundays. Though only about fifteen little Katharinas are born in the U.S. each year, that rarity is part of its charm, lending a fresh, worldly sparkle to any little girl’s name tag.