What is Kate Austen’s surname in the TV series Lost?

Kate Austen is the full name of the fugitive and survivor played by Evangeline Lilly in the TV series Lost.

Kate is introduced shortly after the crash as a resourceful survivor who helps Jack treat the injured. Her practical skills, determination, and guarded past make her one of the central figures in the ensemble. Much of her early storyline concerns the crime that led to her arrest and the reasons she was being transported when the plane crashed.

The surname Austen also creates a literary association with Jane Austen, although Lost uses the name for its own character rather than presenting Kate as an adaptation of an Austen heroine. Kate’s relationships with Jack and Sawyer become a major emotional thread of the series.

A frequent error is confusing Kate’s surname with the names of other survivors. Claire is Littleton, James is Ford, and John is Locke. Kate’s legal identity remains Austen even when she uses aliases during her years as a fugitive.