Unique International Variations of Katherine
Updated Fri Feb 16 2024
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Along with the truly timeless baby girl names Katherine and Catherine, several other forms of the name rank in the US Top 1000, such as Kate, Kaitlyn or Katelyn, Katie, Katalina and Kathleen.
But there are many beautiful international forms of Katherine that also belong on the list of uncommon and unique baby names for girls. Along with foreign variants like Yekaterina, Catriona and Katrien, there are also plenty of unique nicknames for Katherine to choose from, such as Katya, Kaia and Reina.
Discover some of the best international variants of Katherine here, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.
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- Kai
Origin:
Hawaiian, Frisian, ChineseMeaning:
"sea; warrior; triumph"Description:
Kai is an internationally flexible name with many possible origins and meanings, growing in popularity in the US and a diverse range of European countries.
- Kaia
Origin:
Latin, Scandinavian, or HawaiianMeaning:
"to rejoice or sea"Description:
The new Maia, the next Kayla, Kaia has been on the charts since the year 2000. You might see it as a female form of the also-rising Kai, which means sea in Hawaiian and is sometimes used for girls as well, or as a Kardashianization of the ancient goddess name Caia.
- Catherine
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"pure"Description:
Catherine is one of the oldest and most consistently well-used girls’ names, with endless variations and nicknames. The Catherine form feels more gently old-fashioned and feminine than the more popular K versions. Most stylish nickname for Catherine right now: Kate...or Cate, a la Blanchett.
- Katherine
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"pure"Description:
Katherine is one of the oldest, most diverse, and all-around best names: it's powerful, feminine, royal, saintly, classic, popular, and adaptable. Long one of the top girls' names starting with K, Katherine has now been unseated on the popularity list by upstarts Kennedy and Kinsley, but a dip in popularity only adds to its charm.
- Catalina
Origin:
Spanish variation of CatherineMeaning:
"pure"Description:
This name of a touristed island in sight of Los Angeles makes an attractive and newly stylish variation on the classic Catherine or overused Caitlin.
- Kathleen
Origin:
Anglicized form of Irish CaitlinMeaning:
"pure"Description:
Kathleen is the early Irish import version that came between Katherine and Kaitlin, and which hasn't been used in so long it's almost beginning to sound fresh again. It was a surprise pick by one of the hip Dixie Chicks, Martie Maguire. Kathleen was a Top 10 name from 1948 to 1951, and it is the subject of several old sentimental songs, such as "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen."
- Reina
Origin:
Spanish, Yiddish or JapaneseMeaning:
"queen; pure; wise"Description:
An appellation for the Virgin Mary, "Queen of the apostles." After three years off the US popularity charts, Reina rejoined the list in 2014, though it lags behind alternate spellings Raina, Rayna, and Reyna. It is also used in Yiddish and in Japanese.
- Catriona
Origin:
Scottish form of Katherine, GreekMeaning:
"pure"Description:
This Katherine variation, used through Ireland and Scotland, is pronounced like Katrina. The name became popular after the Crusaders brought home stories about the colorful fourth century martyr, Catherine of Alexandria. Its later popularity increased following the success of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1893 Catriona, the sequel to Kidnapped.
- Katerina
Origin:
Macedonian, Czech, Russian, Bulgarian, and Greek form of KatherineDescription:
Katerina and its near-identical twin Katarina have a pleasingly lilting European sound, though for some Americans they may be uncomfortably close to Katrina, which will be linked for a long time to the hurricane that devastated New Orleans.
- Katerina
Origin:
Macedonian, Czech, Russian, Bulgarian, and Greek form of KatherineDescription:
Katerina and its near-identical twin Katarina have a pleasingly lilting European sound, though for some Americans they may be uncomfortably close to Katrina, which will be linked for a long time to the hurricane that devastated New Orleans.
- Katya
Origin:
Russian, diminutive of Ekatarina, Russian variation of KatherineMeaning:
"pure"Description:
One of the warm and earthy Russian nickname names now coming into style. Denzel Washington gave his daughter the Katia spelling.
- Katarina
Origin:
Slovak variation of KatherineMeaning:
"pure"Description:
The Russian version of Katherine is usually Ekaterina, but this Slovak form is used throughout Eastern Europe and may be more friendly to the American ear.
- Catarina
Origin:
Portuguese variation of KatherineDescription:
One of the most popular names of all time in Portugal and Brazil, with a romantic, lively sound. The main risk is confusion with other names that sound similar: Catalina, Katrina, and so forth. Caterina, with an "e," is more common in Italy.
- Catarina
Origin:
Portuguese variation of KatherineDescription:
One of the most popular names of all time in Portugal and Brazil, with a romantic, lively sound. The main risk is confusion with other names that sound similar: Catalina, Katrina, and so forth. Caterina, with an "e," is more common in Italy.
- Katia
Origin:
Russian diminutive of EkaterinaMeaning:
"pure"Description:
One of the warm and earthy Russian nickname names now coming into style. Denzel Washington is the father of a Katia.
- Caterina
Origin:
Italian variation of KatherineDescription:
If your ancestry is Italian, you may want to consider this elegant twist on a classic.
- Katalina
Origin:
Spanish, Greek, HungarianMeaning:
"pure"Description:
Spelling variant of Catalina, currently on the rise in the US.
- Katja
- Kasia
Origin:
Polish, diminutive of Katarzyna, form of KatherineDescription:
Attractive and equally intriguing alternative to Katya.
- Ekaterina
Origin:
Slavic variation of CatherineMeaning:
"pure"Description:
This international variation was publicized by Olympic skater Ekaterina Gordeeva.