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Kateleen

♀ Girl

Pronounced kayt-LEEN /keɪtˈliːn/Low

Meaning: Kateleen is a spelling of Kathleen, the anglicized Irish Caitlin, which itself comes from Katherine, from the Greek often understood as 'pure.' The Kate- opening simply makes the Kath- of Kathleen look more like the familiar Kate.Low

In 30 seconds: Kateleen is a variant of Kathleen, from the Irish Caitlin and ultimately Katherine, 'pure.' It appears thinly in US records in the late nineteen-nineties (said kayt-LEEN).

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Origin MediumIrish, Greek

MeaningKateleen is a spelling of Kathleen, the anglicized Irish Caitlin, which itself comes from Katherine, from the Greek often understood as 'pure.' The Kate- opening simply makes the Kath- of Kathleen look more like the familiar Kate.

U.S. rank (2015)#13714 ↗ Rising

2015 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1999

Total births (all-time)≈ 164

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

Kateleen respells Kathleen, the anglicized form of the Irish Caitlin, which descends from Katherine, traditionally read as 'pure.' The Kate- front is a modern styling that keeps the meaning of the older name intact.

It was never common in this form, given to only about fifteen girls a year at its peak in the late nineteen-nineties. A girl named Kateleen then would be a young adult now, her name a fresh look at a classic.

Did you know? Kathleen was a mid-century American favorite, and later respellings like Kateleen kept its lilting sound while nudging its look toward the ever-popular Kate.

Overall data confidence 40%

References - Kateleen — Variant of Kathleen (Irish Caitlin, Katherine 'pure'); Kate- styling is modern; plain-Latin only.

Variations

KathleenCathleenKatheleenKathaleenKateline

Nicknames

KateKatieLeen

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kateleen…

Kathleen— the standard spelling this form is built on

Katelyn— a same-family girl's name

Caitlin— the Irish source spelling

Maureen— a same-era Irish girl's name

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By thememodern rare respelling irish

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kateleen mean?

It is a variant of Kathleen, from the Irish Caitlin and ultimately Katherine, traditionally understood as 'pure.'

How do you pronounce Kateleen?

It is said kayt-LEEN /keɪtˈliːn/ - two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Kateleen a boy or girl name?

Kateleen is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Kateleen?

It was always rare in this spelling, given to only about fifteen girls a year even at its peak in the late nineteen-nineties.