The name Katrina is a feminine given name derived from the ancient Greek name Αικατερίνη (Aikaterine). It originated as a combination of the Greek words καθαρός (katharos) meaning "pure" and a shortened form of the name Εκατερίνη (Hekaterine).

Aikaterine was the name of one of the first Christian saints from the 4th century AD, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, who was martyred for her faith. The legends surrounding this saint contributed to the popularity of the name among early Christians in the Byzantine Empire.

The name Katrina emerged as a variant of the name Catherine, which was widespread across Europe during the Middle Ages. It was particularly popular in Germany, where it was spelled Katharina or Kathrine. The Scandinavian form, Katrine, also gained popularity in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Katrina can be found in the 13th-century Icelandic saga "Njál's Saga," which mentions a character named Katrina. In the 16th century, the name was used by notable historical figures such as Katrina of Saxe-Lauenburg, a German princess born in 1501.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Katrina. These include Katrina van Bronckhorst (1627-1701), a Dutch Golden Age painter; Katrina Pavlovna (1788-1819), a Russian Grand Duchess; and Katrina Mersiowsky (1842-1892), a German-American actress and singer.

Another famous bearer of the name was Katrina van Arrogon, better known as Catherine of Braganza (1638-1705), a Portuguese princess who became the Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland through her marriage to King Charles II.

In literature, Katrina is a central character in Washington Irving's short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," published in 1820. The story's protagonist, Ichabod Crane, falls in love with the character Katrina van Tassel, the daughter of a wealthy farmer.