What does Katya mean?
Katya is a Russian pet form of Yekaterina (Katherine), “pure.”
What does Yana mean?
Yana is a Slavic form of Jane/Joanna, “God is gracious.”
Katya vs Yana
Which is more popular?
Yana is more popular than Katya today: about 75 US babies were given the name Yana in 2025, compared with 42 named Katya.
| Katya | Yana | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Pure | God is gracious |
| Origin | Slavic | Slavic |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | KAHT-yah | YAH-nah |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1962 | 1955 |
| Peak year | 2001 (146) | 2024 (106) |
| In 2025 | 42 | 75 |
| Trend | Declining | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Katya
Yana
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Katya | Yana |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 314 | 543 |
| 2010s | 663 | 869 |
| 2000s | 1,086 | 668 |
| 1990s | 729 | 182 |
| 1980s | 226 | 118 |
| 1970s | 106 | 158 |
| 1960s | 52 | 61 |
| 1950s | 0 | 71 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Katya or Yana more popular?
Yana is more popular than Katya today: about 75 US babies were given the name Yana in 2025, compared with 42 named Katya.
What is the difference between Katya and Yana?
Katya means Pure (Slavic origin), while Yana means God is gracious (Slavic origin).
Which name is older, Katya or Yana?
In US records, Katya first appears in 1962 and Yana in 1955, so Yana has the longer recorded history.