Kathleen
Kathleen: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkæθˌlin/
Meaning and origin of Kathleen
- A female given name from Irish.
Etymology
Anglicization of Caitlín, an Irish equivalent of the English Catherine.
How popular is Kathleen?
Since 1880, 713,645 girls and 1,691 boys in the U.S. have been named Kathleen (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #9 in 1949. Its highest rank for boys was #930 in 1949. In 2025, 201 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Kathleen
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Irish girl names
Sibling name ideas for Kathleen
Sister and brother names that share Kathleen's Irish roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Kathleen FAQ
What does the name Kathleen mean?
A female given name from Irish. Anglicization of Caitlín, an Irish equivalent of the English Catherine.
What is the origin of the name Kathleen?
Kathleen is listed as a name of Irish origin.
How popular is the name Kathleen?
Since 1880, 713,645 girls and 1,691 boys in the U.S. have been named Kathleen (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #9 in 1949. Its highest rank for boys was #930 in 1949. In 2025, 201 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Kathleen a boy or girl name?
Kathleen is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 713,645 girls and 1,691 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.