Katharine

English

Etymology

A variant spelling of Catherine, based on the folk etymology that it would derive from Greek καθαρός (katharos "pure").

Proper noun

Katharine

1. A female given name from Ancient Greek.
   • c. 1590–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
     , Act II, Scene I:

     Petruchio.Good morrow, Kate; for that's your name, I hear.

     Katharina.Well have you heard, but something hard of hearing:

     They call me Katharine that do talk of me.