Ekaterina

Ekaterina is a feminine given name widely used in Russia and other Slavic-speaking countries. It is the Slavic form of Catherine, which ultimately derives from the Greek name Aikaterine. The precise meaning of Aikaterine is uncertain, but it is commonly associated with the Greek word katharos, meaning pure. The name gained popularity in Christian Europe through Saint Catherine of Alexandria, contributing to its enduring usage in Orthodox and Catholic regions.

In Russian and related languages, Ekaterina is commonly transliterated as Yekaterina. The name has numerous variants and diminutives, including Katya, Katy, and Katinka, depending on language. International forms include Catherine or Katherine in English; Katarina or Katja in several Slavic and Nordic languages; and Kateryna in Ukrainian. Bulgarian uses Katarina as well.

Notable people named Ekaterina include the Russian figure skater Ekaterina Gordeeva; the Russian-Australian pair skater Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya; and Bulgarian politician Ekaterina Zaharieva. The name also appears in literature and media as a common Slavic female given name, reflecting its historical and cultural associations with elegance and refinement.