Catarina

Catarina is a feminine given name used in Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking cultures. It is the Portuguese form of Catherine and is related to the Italian Caterina and the English Katherine. The name traces to the medieval name Catherine, which appears in Christian tradition and saints across Europe.

Usage tends to be strongest in Portugal and Brazil, with substantial use in Spain and many Latin American communities. It is also encountered in other regions influenced by Iberian languages, and it has a variety of local spellings and forms.

Notable people bearing the name include Catarina de Bragança (1638–1705), who became queen consort of England as the wife of King Charles II. Her marriage linked the Portuguese Empire and Britain in a period of significant cultural and political exchange.

In culture and modern life, Catarina appears as a personal name in literature, film, and other media and is used for place names or institutions in Portuguese-speaking areas.

See also: Catherine, Catalina, Caterina.