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Cathlene

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Cathlene

Pronounced kath-LEEN /kæθˈliːn/High

Meaning: Cathlene is a streamlined spelling of Cathleen and Kathleen, the anglicized forms of the Irish Caitlín, itself from Katherine. The name traces to the Greek katharos, 'pure', by way of the long Irish devotion to Caitlín.Medium

In 30 seconds: Cathlene is a trimmed spelling of Kathleen — the Irish take on Katherine, meaning 'pure' (said 'kath-LEEN').

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Origin MediumIrish, Greek

MeaningCathlene is a streamlined spelling of Cathleen and Kathleen, the anglicized forms of the Irish Caitlín, itself from Katherine. The name traces to the Greek katharos, 'pure', by way of the long Irish devotion to Caitlín.

U.S. rank (2004)#16595 ↘ Falling

2004 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1957

Total births (all-time)≈ 829

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

Cathlene belongs to the Kathleen family, all rooted in the Irish Caitlín, an Irish form of Katherine. Katherine descends from the Greek Aikaterine, long linked to katharos, 'pure', and the Caitlín line gave English the softer Cathleen and Kathleen, of which Cathlene is a spare, phonetic spelling.

It was a modest mid-century choice, most common in the nineteen-fifties and fading as parents returned to Kathleen or Caitlin proper. A Cathlene today is likely a grandmother of the boomer years; the underlying name endures in the trendier Caitlin and Katelyn, but this spelling stays dated.

Did you know? Kathleen and its many spellings — Cathleen, Cathlene, Kathlene — poured into American nurseries with the Irish-American generations; Cathlene was one of the quieter respellings, cresting in the nineteen-fifties.

Overall data confidence 70%

References — Cathlene — variant of Kathleen / Irish Caitlín

Variations

KathleenCathleenKathlene

Nicknames

CathyKateLena

Famous Bearers

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If you like Cathlene…

Kathleen— the standard spelling and direct parent

Cathleen— the closest sister spelling

Caitlin— the original Irish form of the same name

Kathlyn— another mid-century Kathleen respelling

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cathlene mean?

Cathlene is a variant of Cathleen and Kathleen, from the Irish Caitlín and ultimately the Greek katharos, meaning 'pure'.

How do you pronounce Cathlene?

It's said kath-LEEN /kæθˈliːn/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Cathlene a boy or girl name?

Cathlene is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Cathlene?

Cathlene is uncommon in the U.S., a mid-century respelling of Kathleen that has since faded.