Given name
Kathryn
“one who is pure; virginal”
Kathryn is a variant of Katherine. In Greek use, Katherine carries the interpretation “one who is pure; virginal.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Kathryn is a variant of Katherine. In Greek use, Katherine carries the interpretation “one who is pure; virginal.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Kathryn is a form of Catherine. Catherine possibly comes from French, and ultimately from Ancient Greek.
Adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. Kathryn is a variant of Katherine. The history of Katherine gives this family its wider story. Katherine’s historical associations include Catherine de’ Medici, wife of King Henry II and regent.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Kathryn through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 456,515
- 1,092 boys · 455,423 girls
- Most popular year
- 1952
- 8,517 babies
- 2025
- 381
- #729 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −38%
- Cooling
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 381 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 729 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 38.3% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 8,504 in 1952. In 2025, Pennsylvania had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (31). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 316,032 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Kathryn’s family of names
Kathryn has a related form in Katherine. Kathryn is a form of Katherine. In English usage, Kathryn has a related form in Catherine.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 5
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Across languages 10
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
- Katerinaequivalent
- Caterinaequivalent
- Katherinaequivalent
- Cathrynequivalent
- Kathryneequivalent
- Cathrinequivalent
- Katequivalent
- Catherinaequivalent
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See also 1
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Kathryn
- Kathryn BigelowAmerican filmmaker (born 1951)
- Kathryn HahnAmerican actress (born 1973)
- Kathryn D. SullivanAmerican astronaut (born 1951)
- Kathryn NewtonAmerican actress (born 1997)
- Katee SackhoffAmerican actressborn 1980
- Bridget MoynahanAmerican actress and modelborn 1971
- Kathryn GraysonAmerican actress and coloratura soprano (1922–2010)
- Felicia DayAmerican actressborn 1979
- Kathryn MorrisAmerican actressborn 1969
Characters named Kathryn: Kathryn Janeway (Star Trek: Voyager), Kathryn Merteuil (Cruel Intentions).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Kathryn, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Karen
“one who is pure; virginal” · “one who is pure; chaste”
1% boys · 99% girls
Lana
Lana is used as a given name and a surname. Lana is connected with Alana.
>99% girls
Kay
“filled with happiness; rejoicing”
17% boys · 83% girls
Caitríona
“one who is pure; virginal”
>99% girls
Kathleen
“one who is pure; virginal”
>99% girls
Katheryn
“one who is pure; virginal”
>99% girls
Caesaria
“an empress” · “an emperor; having a full head of hair”
>99% girls
Candace
“a queen” · “one who is white and glowing”
>99% girls