Home › Baby Names Directory › Kathlene

Kathlene

♀ Girl

Pronounced kath-LEEN /kæθˈliːn/Medium

Meaning: A trimmed spelling of Kathleen, an Irish form of Katherine, from the Greek read as 'pure.' A mid-century American form.Low

In 30 seconds: A soft spin on Kathleen: Kathlene means 'pure' (via Katherine), said 'kath-LEEN.' Vintage and rare.

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumIrish, Greek

MeaningA trimmed spelling of Kathleen, an Irish form of Katherine, from the Greek read as 'pure.' A mid-century American form.

U.S. rank (2014)#12493 ↗ Rising

2014 U.S. births8 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1950

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,500

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

Kathlene respells Kathleen, an Irish form of Katherine, from the Greek read as 'pure.' It rode the mid-century Kathleen wave, peaked in 1950, and faded as the standard spelling held on (said 'kath-LEEN').

Kathlene belonged to the mid-century generation and has grown rare since. Rare, midcentury, and soft.

Did you know? Kathlene is a trimmed spelling of Kathleen ('pure') that peaked around 1950 — a midcentury form now seldom seen.

Overall data confidence 52%

References — Kathlene — Variant of Kathleen; Greek 'pure'

Variations

KathleenCathleenKathlyn

Nicknames

KathyKate

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kathlene…

Kathleen— the standard spelling

Cathleen— a like spelling cousin

Kathryn— the Katherine root

Maureen— a like Irish -een name

Explore names like Kathlene

By themevintage irish 1950s classic-rooted

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Kathlene mean?

Kathlene is a variant of Kathleen, an Irish form of Katherine, from the Greek for 'pure.'

How do you pronounce Kathlene?

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

Is Kathlene a boy or girl name?

Kathlene is used here as a girl's name.

How popular is Kathlene?

Kathlene peaked around nineteen-fifty and is rare today.