Katharine

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

Katharine

1. A female given name.
   • c. 1590–1592, William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, (please specify the act number in uppercase 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.