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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kathlean

Kathlean

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Kathlean

Pronounced kath-LEEN /kæθˈliːn/Low

Meaning: Kathlean is a variant spelling of Kathleen, the anglicized form of the Irish Caitlin, which itself derives from Katherine, from the Greek katharos, 'pure.' The -lean spelling simply rewrites the familiar -leen sound.Medium

In 30 seconds: Kathlean is a variant of Kathleen, from Irish Caitlin, ultimately Katherine, Greek 'pure.' It appears in mid-century US records (said kath-LEEN).
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Origin LowIrish, Greek
MeaningKathlean is a variant spelling of Kathleen, the anglicized form of the Irish Caitlin, which itself derives from Katherine, from the Greek katharos, 'pure.' The -lean spelling simply rewrites the familiar -leen sound.
U.S. rank (1974)#8132 ↗ Rising
1974 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1958
Total births (all-time)≈ 253

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195819191974

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

Kathlean is a variant of Kathleen, the anglicized Irish Caitlin from Katherine, whose Greek root katharos means 'pure.' The -lean ending is a phonetic respelling. It appears thinly in US records around the mid-twentieth century, well behind the popular Kathleen it echoes.

It was never common, given to only about fifteen girls a year even at its peak around 1958. A girl named Kathlean then is in her late sixties today.

Did you know? Kathleen was a mid-century favorite, and near-homophone spellings like Kathlean and Cathleen trailed it as parents personalized the popular name.
Overall data confidence 40%
References - Kathlean — Variant of Kathleen; Irish Caitlin from Katherine, Greek katharos 'pure'; modest confidence.

Variations

KathleenCathleenKathlyn

Nicknames

KathKathyLeen

Famous Bearers

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If you like Kathlean…

Kathleen— the standard spelling of the same name
Cathleen— a like variant of the same name
Kathryn— a shared Katherine root
Maureen— another Irish -een girl's name of the era

Explore names like Kathlean

By themevintagevariantirishfeminine

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kathlean mean?

It is a variant of Kathleen, from the Irish Caitlin, ultimately Katherine, from the Greek for 'pure.'

How do you pronounce Kathlean?

It is said kath-LEEN /kæθˈliːn/ - two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Kathlean a boy or girl name?

Kathlean is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Kathlean?

It was always rare in the United States, given to only about fifteen girls a year even at its peak in the nineteen-fifties.

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