Katharina is of German origin, derived from the Greek word 'katharos', which means 'pure'. It was introduced to Germany via the Eastern Roman Empire. The name gained popularity in the Middle Ages and has been a traditional favorite among German speakers ever since. Katharina is often shortened to Kathe or Kate, with Katrina being an alternative spelling used primarily in English-speaking countries.
The name Katharina experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century and a half, with periods of high frequency followed by notable declines. Between 1881 and 1946, the number of annual births named Katharina remained relatively low, oscillating between 5 to 10 births per year, with occasional spikes reaching up to 13 births in 1953.
However, starting from the late 1950s, there was a marked increase in the popularity of the name. The number of annual births named Katharina surged dramatically, peaking at 58 births in both 1991 and 1993. This trend continued throughout the 1990s, with consistent yearly totals ranging from 33 to 58 births.
Interestingly, despite this sustained popularity, there has been a noticeable decline in recent years. Between 2006 and 2023, the annual number of births named Katharina dropped significantly, with the most recent year (2023) recording only 10 births. This trend suggests that the name Katharina may be losing its appeal among parents, at least for now.
In total, over the span of 142 years (from 1881 to 2023), there were a combined 2083 births registered with the name Katharina.