Kathleen
Kathleen is an Irish name, the anglicized form of Caitlín, which itself derives from the Greek name Katherine meaning 'pure.' It became especially popular in English-speaking countries during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Current Popularity
#1156 for girls
in the United States (2025)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •Easy to spell and pronounce in English-speaking countries
- •Has strong Irish heritage and cultural significance
- •Offers many nickname options for different stages of life
- •Peak popularity was mid-20th century, giving it a vintage charm today
Similar Names
Famous People
Kathleen Turner
Actress
Kathleen Kennedy
Film producer and president of Lucasfilm
Kathleen Battle
Opera soprano
Kathleen Sebelius
Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services
Statistics
713,645
Total births since 1880
1951
Peak year
Discovery
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