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Kathleen

♀ Girl

Pronounced KATH-leen /ˈkæθ.liːn/High

Meaning: Pure; Irish anglicization of Caitlín, the Irish form of Katherine, from Greek AikaterineHigh

In 30 seconds: The Irish anglicization of Caitlín meaning 'pure,' one of the quintessential Irish American women's names. Kathleen Mavourneen and countless Irish folk songs cemented it as a symbol of Irish feminine identity.

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Origin HighIrish, Greek

MeaningPure; Irish anglicization of Caitlín, the Irish form of Katherine, from Greek Aikaterine

U.S. rank (2024)#1109 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births220 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1951

Total births (all-time)≈ 713,438

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

Kathleen is an anglicization of Irish Caitlín, itself the Irish form of Catherine (Katherine), from Greek Aikaterine (the meaning 'pure' is the established folk etymology). The Irish form developed independently from Catherine's European variants.

Kathleen was in the U.S. top 10 from the 1940s through the 1960s, strongly associated with Irish American identity. It has declined sharply but ranked #1109 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? Kathleen Mavourneen (c.1837), a beloved Irish ballad, essentially made Kathleen synonymous with Irish womanhood — the song's melody was so famous it was sung by Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War.

Overall data confidence 92%

Behind the Name — Kathleen — Irish/Greek etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

CathleenCathlineKathlene

Nicknames

KateKathyKatKath

Famous Bearers

★Kathleen Turner (1954–present)
American actress known for Body Heat, Romancing the Stone, and Prizzi's Honor, a leading film star of the 1980s.

If you like Kathleen…

Catherine— the full form from which Kathleen ultimately derives

Caitlin— the Irish original of which Kathleen is the anglicization

Colleen— Irish feminine name from the same Irish American naming tradition

Eileen— Irish feminine name popular in the same mid-20th century wave

Explore names like Kathleen

By themegreek classic irish mid-century pure

By meaningPurity

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Kathleen mean?

Kathleen means 'pure,' as an Irish anglicization of Caitlín, the Irish form of Katherine from Greek Aikaterine.

How do you pronounce Kathleen?

It's said KATH-leen — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kathleen a boy or girl name?

Kathleen is used as a girls' name.

How popular is Kathleen?

Kathleen ranked #1109 for U.S. girls in 2024.