Names That Mean Pure

Actress Hepburn made the Katharine spelling famous, which seems to be the inspiration for this spin on Catherine.

Variation of Katherine.

Kattie or Katti is an unusual short form of Katherine, more old fashioned than Kate and more unusual than Kathy. Plus there's the "catty" issue.

A friendly and accessible international form of Katherine.

Variation of Katherine.

Original twist on this classic.

The preferred Estonian spelling of Yekaterina, the Russian variation of Katherine.

A mostly-feminine Arabic name used in the Muslim community.

Variation of Ekaterina, and close to the name's earliest known form. The original meaning is obscure, but one theory is that it derives from Hekateros, a minor Greek god of a folk dance. The name was later remodeled the virtuius Greek word katharos, "pure".

The Lithuanian version of Katherine clearly shows its origins, but with a spelling that feels fresh and intriguing.

The name of a venerated 19th century poet and martyr in the Bábí and Bahá'í faiths. She was an early proponent of women's rights, famously removing her veil among a crowd of men at the Conference of Badasht in 1848. For this she was placed under house arrest, and executed four years later on account of her beliefs.

Variant of Katherine or Katrina.

The translation of Katarina and Katherine used in Finland and Estonia.

Kalenah, another form of Kalena, may have a variety of possible derivations, though we see it as one of the many descendants of Katherine.

Common as a stand-alone name in Estonia.

Maori form of Katherine

While Karen may have to take a backseat for a few years, Kaarin feels fresh and sleek. This variation of classic Katherine is used in Nordic and Germanic areas.

Variation of Katherine.