Surname Käthe - Meaning and Origin
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Käthe: What does the surname Käthe mean?
The last name Käthe is of German origin and is a variant of Katherine, an ancient Greek name that means "pure" and "chaste." This is often interpreted to mean a woman of integrity and moral fortitude.
Käthe is also believed to have originated from the the Hebrew name Yecheta, meaning “only one.” This interpretation can refer to someone as being one of a kind, emphasizing their uniqueness.
The name Käthe also has several uncanny connotations based on its German spelling. In Southern dialect, “käthe” translates to “cat," and in colloquial language, “Käthe” is derived from “Kater” meaning “tomcat” or “tom." This can symbolize someone as being an independent, mischievous, and adventurous individual.
In addition, Käthe also originates from Gothic roots and is associated with an Old Norse word meaning “survivor.” This is a representation of someone who is hardy and resilient.
Overall, the name Käthe is an ever-changing source of inspiration and delight. With its array of connotations, the name is an important reminder of a moral compass, courage, determination, and the strength to remain authentic even in the face of difficulty.
Order DNA origin analysisKäthe: Where does the name Käthe come from?
The last name Käthe is most common today in central and eastern Europe. It is originally derived from the German word kathe, which means container. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the last name Käthe is considered to be one of the oldest surnames in the German speaking countries and is also used in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.
In Germany, the name is still popular in the southern areas, especially around Bavaria. In the cities of Munich and Frankfurt am Main, you can still find many families named Käthe. The frequency of the name is highest in Bavaria, where it is among the ten most common surnames in the country, but you can also find it to a lesser degree in other regions.
In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the name is among the most common surnames, whereas in Hungary it is among the top thirty. Although this name has a long history, it is still relatively common today. It is estimated that there are more than one thousand people throughout Europe with the surname Käthe.
The name is also carried by people in other parts of the world, but it is largely restricted to European countries. Immigrants of Germanic origin can also be seen bearing the surname Käthe in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Käthe
The surname Käthe is of German origin, meaning "pure". It is also said to derive from an old Germanic personal name "Kadu(h)". This surname has many variants, spellings, and alternate surnames.
The variants and alternate spellings of Käthe are Kaede, Kadih, Kadis, Kadys, Keath, Kedah, Keddah, Kedde, Kedih, and Kedis.
The alternate surnames of Käthe are Ket, Kett, Kete, Keeth, Ked, Kedd, Kedt, Kedte, Kedthe, Keth, Ketthe, and Kythe.
The surname is found mainly in Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, and Slovakia. It is also a common Ashkenazi Jewish surname. Alternative spellings are common among Ashkenazi Jews, as many of the original records that list this surname are found in Yiddish.
Käthe is pronounced similarly in different countries: in German it is pronounced "Kat-eh"; in Czech it is pronounced "Kah-teh"; in Hungarian it is pronounced "Ket-ta"; and in Slovakian it is pronounced "Keth-eh". These alternative spellings and surnames are all derived from the same origin and share a similar pronunciation.
This surname can be found in numerous different countries and is shared by many people across the world. It is a versatile and ancient surname with many derivations and spellings.
Famous people with the name Käthe
- Käthe Kollwitz: German artist who is well-known for her expressive and emotionally charged prints, drawings, and sculpture with themes of human suffering.
- Käthe Kruse: German doll designer and founder of the Airport Käthe Kruse company in Leipzig-Wilmersdorf.
- Käthe Schirmacher: German painter who was part of the expressionist movement; her work focused on figures, landscapes, still lifes, and portraiture.
- Käthe Lachmann: German singer, actress, cabaret artist, and writer; she was also a voice actor for Anneliese in You Are Not Alone, as well as for multiple characters in the WDR radio show Timm Thaler.
- Käthe C. Lazarsfeld: Austrian writer, feminist, and political activist; she was a co-founder of the Austrian Workers' Movement and a much appreciated contributor to the Viennese press.
- Käthe Kromer: German writer who wrote extensively about her Jewish heritage; some of her works include her autobiography, The Recluse of Palestine, and the novel, I Too Am Night.
- Käthe Kollwitz-Zander: German journalist, feminist, and Workers' Welfare rights advocate; her autobiography, To Be and To Work, is often cited as one of the earliest examples of a female emancipation memoir in Germany.
- Käthe Niederkirchner: German gymnast who was a three-time All-Around Champion of Germany and set fifteen outdoor records.
- Käthe Chrystel von Sandeck: German lawyer and professor; she specialized in family law and was a co-founder of the Association of Women Lawyers, as well as the founder of Femina, Switzerland's first women's magazine.
- Käthe K Medicine Crow: American political activist, educator, and anthropologist; she received a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 for her work in advancing Native American rights.