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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kathleene

Kathleene

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Kathleene

Pronounced kath-LEEN /kæθˈliːn/High

Meaning: Kathleene is an ornamented respelling of Kathleen, the anglicized form of the Irish Caitlin, itself from Katherine. Katherine is traditionally linked to the Greek katharos, 'pure'. The added -e simply dresses up the familiar Kathleen.Medium

In 30 seconds: Kathleene is an elaborated spelling of Kathleen, from the Irish Caitlin and Katherine, 'pure'. It stayed rare (said 'kath-LEEN').
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Origin MediumIrish, Greek
MeaningKathleene is an ornamented respelling of Kathleen, the anglicized form of the Irish Caitlin, itself from Katherine. Katherine is traditionally linked to the Greek katharos, 'pure'. The added -e simply dresses up the familiar Kathleen.
U.S. rank (1995)#14494 ↘ Falling
1995 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1947
Total births (all-time)≈ 523
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Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 194719151995

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

Kathleene is a decorative respelling of Kathleen, the English form of the Irish Caitlin, which descends from Katherine, traditionally tied to the Greek katharos, 'pure'. Kathleen was hugely popular in the early and mid twentieth century, and ornamental variants like Kathleene appeared in its shadow.

Kathleene was never common - only a few dozen girls a year at its faint peak in the 1940s, alongside the far more popular Kathleen. It reads as a period respelling rather than a name of its own, and the -e form has not endured in modern use.

Did you know? Kathleene traces back through Kathleen and Caitlin to Katherine, whose traditional meaning, 'pure', has followed the name across a thousand years and many spellings.
Overall data confidence 55%
References - Kathleene / Kathleen — Respelling of Kathleen; Irish Caitlin from Katherine 'pure'

Variations

KathleenCathleenKathleneKathaleen

Nicknames

KathyLeenie

Famous Bearers

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If you like Kathleene…

Kathleen— the standard name Kathleene respells
Cathleen— a close variant of the same name
Caitlin— the Irish parent form behind Kathleen
Katherine— the root name meaning 'pure'

Explore names like Kathleene

By themerarevintagerespellingirish

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kathleene mean?

Kathleene is an elaborated respelling of Kathleen, from the Irish Caitlin and Katherine, traditionally meaning 'pure'.

How do you pronounce Kathleene?

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

Is Kathleene a boy or girl name?

Kathleene is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Kathleene?

Kathleene has always been rare, a respelling of the very popular Kathleen.

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