Kaija

Kaija is a Finnish feminine name, functioning as a vernacular form of Katariina, the Finnish adaptation of the Greek name Aikaterine, whose precise root remains debated but is often linked to the Greek element meaning pure. The name has been in steady use in Finland, particularly through the twentieth century, and is associated with the Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho, who brought the name international recognition. Related forms include Kaisa and Kaarina, as well as the broader Katherine family found across European languages.