Katarina sits next to 3 phonetic neighbors — Katrina, Catherine, and Katerina are the closest matches by sound. Most share Katarina's Scandinavian cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"pure"
"wave"
"born at dawn, of the light"
"determined protector, will to protect"
"rising, sunrise"
"defender of mankind"
"star of the sea"
"light, bright"
"clear, cloudless"
"entire, complete"
"peaceful song"
"enjoyment of the best"
"noble, of noble kind"
"city of Odysseus"
"pure"
"of noble birth"
"princess, noblewoman"
"noble kind"
"shining, bright"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Katarina — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Greek origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Katarina.
Rhythm: Katarina is a 4-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.