Kathryn

Variation of Katherine and Catherine, Greek

"pure"

Kathryn Origin and Meaning

The name Kathryn is a girl's name meaning "pure".

Although the Kathryn spelling feels like a modern streamlining of this ancient royal and saints' name, it is in fact found back through history. At least one of Henry the Eighth's unfortunately wives sometimes spelled her name as Kathryn.

While Katherine is the number one spelling of the name these days and Catherine number 2, the Kathryn form is well-used if not exactly modern-feeling. Two recent Kathryns of note: Academy Award-winning film director Kathryn Bigelow and bestselling novelist Kathryn Stockett.

Kathryn Rank in US Top 1000

# 681 in the US

Kathryn Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

# 911 on Nameberry

Popularity of the name Kathryn

• 681 US 2023
• 911 Nameberry 2025
• 943 England 2016

20 Names Similar to Kathryn

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Kathryn.

• Carolyn
• Kristen
• Megan
• Becca
• Alison
• Katie
• Lindsay
• Caitlin
• Julie
• Chelsea
• Krista
• Candace
• Lindsey
• Courtney
• Leslie
• Bethany
• Carla
• Christine
• Rebekah
• Jennifer

Famous People Named Kathryn

• Kathryn Hahn American actress
• Kathryn Ann Bigelow American film director
• Kathryn Stockett American novelist
• Kathryn Beaumont English actress and singer
• Kathryn Joosten American actress
• Kathryn Grayson (born Zelma Kathryn Elisabeth Hedrick) American actress and singer
• Kathryn McCormick American dancer on TV's So You Think You Can Dance
• Kathryn "Kathie" Lee (Epstein) Gifford American TV personality
• Kathryn Leigh Scott American actress
• Kathryn "Kat" Cressida American actress
• Kathryn Dwyer Sullivan American geologist and astronaut
• Kathryn Newton American actress
• Kathryn Lasky American novelist
• Kathryn "Kat" Prescott English actress
• Kathryn Chandria Manuel Bernardo Filipino actress
• Kathryn Elsbeth Erbe American actress
• Kathryn Susan Morris American actress
• Kathryn Tickell English musician
• Kathryn Fiore American actress
• Kathryn Williams English singer,songwriter
• Kathryn "Kate" McKinnon (Berthold) American actress and comedienne

The name Kathryn in Pop Culture

• Captain Kathryn Janeway character on TV's "Star Trek: Voyager"
• Kathryn Kennish character on TV's "Switched at Birth"
• Kathryn Merteuil character in movie "Cruel Intentions"
• Kathryn Nolan character in TV's "Once Upon A Time"
• Kathryn Munson character in "X,Men"