How Many People Are Named Katharine?
Complete statistics for the name Katharine: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Katharine is a classic English form of Katherine, rooted in the Greek name Aikaterine and often associated with the meaning 'pure.' About 28,433 people named Katharine are living in the US today, making it genuinely rare at 1 in 11,606 Americans. What's striking is just how concentrated this name is among older generations, with nearly half of all living Katharines over the age of 60.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life path number 6 is traditionally linked to nurturing, responsibility, and a deep sense of care for others. People associated with 6 are often seen as reliable, warm-hearted, and naturally drawn to home, family, and service.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 64All 41,139 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1982Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Katharine Through the Generations
Katharine has a quiet but interesting data story. Of the 41,139 people ever given this spelling in the US, around 28,433 are still living, which is a solid retention rate and reflects the name's concentration in middle-aged and older groups rather than infant losses to time. The age picture is telling: only 5,156 Katharines are under 30, while 18,821 are over 60. That's a steep imbalance. The name peaked in 1982 with 947 births, and it's been declining since, so the average age of 64 makes complete sense. This isn't a name disappearing from memory though, it's just settled firmly into older generations. The 'K' spelling sets it apart from the more common Katherine, giving it a slightly more distinctive, literary feel that its bearers often seem to lean into. Don't expect to meet many young Katharines.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Katharine
Katherine, also spelled Catherine and other variations, is a feminine given name. The name and its variants are popular in countries where large Christian populations exist, because of its associations with the early Christian saint Catherine of Alexandria.…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Katharine's Greek roots
📄 About the Name Katharine
How Many People Have the Name Katharine?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 28,433 people in the United States currently share the name Katharine. That works out to roughly 1 in every 11,606 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Katharine a Common or Rare Name?
Katharine is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Katharine Mean?
Katharine means "Pure, unsullied" and comes from Greek origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 6.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Katharine in SSA data, approximately 0% are male and 100% are female.
When Was Katharine Most Popular?
The name Katharine reached peak popularity in 1982, with 947 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Katharine?
Approximately 28,433 people named Katharine live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 41,139. That works out to roughly 1 in 11,606 Americans.
Is Katharine a rare name?
Katharine is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 11,606 Americans has this name.
What does the name Katharine mean?
Katharine means "Pure, unsullied" and comes from Greek origins.
Is Katharine more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 0% of people named Katharine are male and 100% are female.
When was Katharine most popular?
Katharine peaked in 1982 with 947 births that year. Current trend: Declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.