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Cathaleen

♀ Girl

Pronounced kath-uh-LEEN /ˌkæθəˈliːn/Medium

Meaning: Cathaleen is an expanded spelling of Cathleen, itself an Irish form of Katherine, from the Greek katharos meaning pure. The extra a stretches the name toward its spoken three-beat rhythm.Low

In 30 seconds: Cathaleen is a rare respelling of Cathleen, an Irish form of Katherine. It saw quiet use in the mid-twentieth century (said kath-uh-LEEN).

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Origin MediumIrish, Greek

MeaningCathaleen is an expanded spelling of Cathleen, itself an Irish form of Katherine, from the Greek katharos meaning pure. The extra a stretches the name toward its spoken three-beat rhythm.

U.S. rank (1980)#10607 ↘ Falling

1980 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1951

Total births (all-time)≈ 323

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Cathaleen is a spelling of Cathleen, the Irish Katherine, from the Greek katharos, pure. Irish Katherine forms were cherished among American families of Irish descent.

It was never common in this spelling, given to only about twenty girls a year at most, clustering around the early nineteen-fifties. A Cathaleen from then would be in her seventies today.

Did you know? Cathaleen adds a syllable-marking a to Cathleen, spelling out the fuller way the Irish name is often said aloud.

Overall data confidence 50%

References - Cathaleen — Respelling of Cathleen/Kathleen (Irish form of Katherine; Greek katharos, pure)

Variations

CathleenKathleenCathaline

Nicknames

CathyKateLeen

Famous Bearers

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If you like Cathaleen…

Cathleen— the standard spelling of the name

Kathleen— a like Irish Katherine form

Colleen— a similar Irish girl's name

Katherine— the parent name meaning pure

Explore names like Cathaleen

By themerare vintage greek irish

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cathaleen mean?

It is a spelling of Cathleen, an Irish form of Katherine, from the Greek for pure.

How do you pronounce Cathaleen?

It is said kath-uh-LEEN /ˌkæθəˈliːn/, three syllables stressed at the end.

Is Cathaleen a boy or girl name?

Cathaleen is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Cathaleen?

It has always been rare in this spelling in the United States, given to only about twenty girls a year around the early nineteen-fifties.