Katharina: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#6,440

among girls · ↑977 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Katharina

How common

1 in 89,293

girls born in 2025

Peak year

1991

58 babies

All-time total

2,121

#4,532 all-time among girls

First recorded

1881

in Social Security records

Katharina popularity over time

2,121 babies have been named Katharina since 1881, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	52	5	–	#787
1890s	40	4	-23%	#1,150
1900s	25	3	-37%	#1,181
1910s	45	5	+80%	#2,801
1920s	30	3	-33%	#2,856
1930s	12	1	-60%	#3,861
1940s	11	1	-8%	#4,966
1950s	128	13	+1064%	#2,773
1960s	231	23	+80%	#2,234
1970s	158	16	-32%	#3,155
1980s	269	27	+70%	#2,765
1990s	451	45	+68%	#2,250
2000s	350	35	-22%	#2,895
2010s	214	21	-39%	#4,657
2020s (to 2025)	105	18	-18%	#5,752

The story of Katharina

Katharina is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #6,440 in 2025 with 18 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1881, 2,121 American babies have been named Katharina. Its peak came in 1991, when 58 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1990s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Katharina stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Katharina?

The median living Katharina is about 32 years old; half are between 21 and 47. An estimated 1,800 people named Katharina are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Katharina year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank
2025	18	#6,440
2024	15	#7,417
2023	11	#9,294
2022	20	#6,100
2021	20	#6,065
2020	21	#5,752
2019	16	#7,186
2018	17	#6,945
2017	20	#6,175
2016	20	#6,288
2015	30	#4,657
2014	21	#6,103
2013	21	#6,131
2012	28	#5,037
2011	16	#7,608
2010	25	#5,508
2009	24	#5,795
2008	26	#5,508
2007	30	#4,877
2006	22	#6,023
2005	39	#3,771
2004	37	#3,862
2003	34	#3,987
2002	50	#2,955
2001	50	#2,895
2000	38	#3,484
1995	44	#2,756
1990	36	#3,111
1985	32	#2,892
1980	22	#3,665
1975	15	#4,243
1970	21	#3,155
1965	22	#2,643
1960	20	#2,774
1955	9	#4,219
1950	10	#3,553
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	7	#3,861
1925	–	–
1920	7	#4,187
1915	7	#3,617
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	7	#1,150
1885	7	#876
1880	–	–

Famous people named Katharina

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Katharina von Bora Wife of Martin Luther (c. 1499–1552) 1498–1552 · Medieval
2 Katharina Schratt Austrian actress 1853–1940 · 19th century
3 Katharina Molitor German athlete b. 1983 · Contemporary
4 Katharina Althaus German ski jumper (born 1996) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Katharina, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Katharina?

The median living Katharina is about 32 years old. Half of all living Katharinas are between 21 and 47 years old.

How many people named Katharina are alive today?

An estimated 1,800 people named Katharina are alive in the United States, based on 2,121 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Katharina in 2025?

Katharina ranked #6,440 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 18 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Katharina?

2,121 babies have been named Katharina in the United States since 1881, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Katharina most popular?

Katharina peaked in 1991, when 58 newborns received the name.

Is Katharina a boy or girl name?

Katharina is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Katharina rising or falling?

Katharina is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Katharina?

Well-known people named Katharina include Katharina von Bora (companion), Katharina Schratt (actor), Katharina Molitor (athlete).

Names like Katharina

Names that sound and feel close to Katharina: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Katharina with similar names → More names starting with K →