Katori Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: kah-TOH-ree /kɑːˈtoʊri/
Origin: Japanese; Native American
Meaning: Japanese: 'guardian deity'; Native American: 'spirit' or 'sacred'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Katori has its roots in Japanese, where it is written as 香取. The first character, 香 (ka), means "fragrance" or "aroma," while the second character, 取 (tori), translates to "to take" or "to fetch." This combination can be interpreted as "to take fragrance" or "fragrant place," reflecting a connection to nature and beauty.
The name is associated with Katori City in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, which is historically significant as it is home to the Katori Shrine, one of the oldest Shinto shrines in the country, believed to have been established in the 6th century CE. Historically, the Katori Shrine has been a center of worship for the deity Futsunushi no Mikoto, a god of military affairs and protection.
The shrine's prominence in Japanese culture is underscored by its mention in various historical texts and its role in the samurai tradition, where it was revered by warriors seeking divine favor. The name Katori, therefore, carries connotations of strength and protection, deeply rooted in the spiritual and cultural history of Japan.
In addition to its historical significance, Katori has cultural resonance as a name that evokes a sense of connection to nature and the divine. The fragrance implied in the name can symbolize beauty, purity, and the ephemeral nature of life, which are common themes in Japanese art and literature.
The name may also be associated with various traditional practices and festivals that celebrate the natural world, further embedding it in the cultural fabric of Japan. While diminutive forms of the name are not widely noted, the elegance of Katori as a standalone name reflects its rich heritage.
Famous people named Katori
In this section, you will find notable people named Katori. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Katori who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Katori who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Katori Hall is a playwright best known for The Mountaintop, Hurt Village, and Our Lady of Kibeho.
Katori Shinto-ryu is a traditional Japanese martial art known for its comprehensive curriculum in swordsmanship and other weapons.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Katori, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Katori was first seen in the United States in 2007.
Katori has ranked as high as #8704 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Katori has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Katori is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Katori was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Katori.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 2024 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 2023 | 26 | 7 | 19 |
| 2022 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 2021 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 2020 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 2019 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 2018 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2017 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2015 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2013 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2012 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 2011 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 2010 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 2009 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 2008 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 2007 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
Top States for Katori
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
No state data available for this year.