Kathryn is a feminine given name derived from the ancient Greek name Katharine, which itself originated from the Greek name Aikaterine. The name Aikaterine is derived from the Greek words "katharos" meaning "pure" and "hegen" meaning "to lead". The name gained popularity during the medieval era in Europe.

The name Kathryn emerged as an English variant spelling of the name Katherine. It is believed that the name Kathryn came into use in the late 15th century, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 16th century. The name has been consistently popular throughout the English-speaking world since then.

One of the earliest notable figures with the name Kathryn was Kathryn Howard, the fifth wife of King Henry VIII of England. Kathryn Howard was born in the early 16th century and was executed in 1542 for alleged adultery.

In the 17th century, Kathryn Philips, a celebrated English poet, was born in 1632 and is known for her contributions to the literary world during that period.

Another notable Kathryn from history was Kathryn Kuhlman, an American evangelist and faith healer who was born in 1907 and died in 1976. She gained prominence for her healing crusades and is remembered as one of the most influential figures in the charismatic Christian movement.

Kathryn Hepburn, the legendary American actress, was born in 1907 and passed away in 2003. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest actresses of all time and won four Academy Awards for Best Actress.

Kathryn Bigelow, the American filmmaker, was born in 1951 and is known for her groundbreaking work in the action and war film genres. She became the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director for her film "The Hurt Locker" in 2010.