Name meaning & stats
Katharine
Katharine means “pure” (Ancient Greek origin). 30,652 US babies since 1940, peak 1982. Notable Katharines are 1.7× over-represented as professors.
What it means
“pure”
Ancient GreekWell documented
In US birth records
Peak year: 1982
30,652 US babies were named Katharine between 1940 and 2025.
Where Katharines end up
Not enough notable Katharines yet, so this uses the spelling family: Catherine, Katherine, Kathryn, Katharine.
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Actor | 1.0× | High · 229 people |
| Writer | 1.3× | High · 218 people |
| Professor | 1.7× | High · 152 people |
| Politician | 0.8× | High · 101 people |
Among notable women who are professors, the Catherine family show up 1.7× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
One more thing…
Katharine has a surprise career: 1.8×
Spelling family
1 in 46 Katherines spell it Katharine
- Katherine 37%
- Catherine 31%
- Kathryn 25%
- Katharine 2%
- Cathryn 1%
- Kathrine 1%
- Katheryn 1%
- Catharine <1%
- Cathrine <1%
- Kathryne <1%
Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.
Name twins (peaked around 1982)