Kathleen
Irish · Girl · 2 syllables
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Kathleen
Kathleen means "pure" and derives from the Greek name Aikaterine (Αἰκατερίνη), which likely comes from the Greek word "katharos" (καθαρός).
Cross-referenced with Wikidata/Wikipedia. AI-assisted, community-reviewable. Suggest an improvement.
Etymology
Kathleen means "pure" and derives from the Greek name Aikaterine (Αἰκατερίνη), which likely comes from the Greek word "katharos" (καθαρός). The name is primarily used in Irish and English-speaking cultures, with particular prevalence in Ireland due to Irish immigration patterns, and has been borne by numerous notable historical figures including Saint Catherine of Alexandria in Christian tradition.
Kathleen currently ranks #1,156 in the United States as a girl's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1951.
Variants & nicknames
Contribute to this name
Help improve this page with a meaning, origin, or correction—and get credited as a contributor.
Share your knowledge about this name—meaning, origin, pronunciation, or correction. Your contribution is reviewed and credited with your name.
Login to contributeWe use Google & Facebook login — no password needed.
Sibling name ideas
Irish, English names that sit beautifully beside KathleenSimilar names you might like
Names starting with KMore names starting with K
- Kacey
- Kaila
- Kaden
- Kade
- Kaci
- Kaelan
- Kadie
- Kaelah
- Kadyn
- Kacie
- Kaelum
- Kahil
- Kaidan
- Kady
- Ka
- Kaarina
- Kadir
- Kaela
Find middle names for Kathleen →
🧬 See Kathleen's popularity the year you were born →
🔢 Get Kathleen's free numerology report card →
💫 Is Kathleen your name? Get your free “My name means…” card →
👶 Have a Kathleen already? Find sibling names that fit →
Names that sound like Kathleen
Phonetic match, not just spelling"Katelyn is a modern English variant of Katherine, derived from the Greek name Aikaterine, which is traditionally interpreted to mean…"
"Kaitlin is an anglicized variant of the Irish name Caitlín, derived from the Latin name Catharina, meaning "pure." The name…"
"Katelin is a variant spelling of Katelyn, which derives from the Irish name Caitlín, itself descended from the Latin name…"
"Kaytlin is a modern English spelling variant of Caitlin, which derives from the Irish name Caitríona, ultimately rooted in the…"
"Kaitlyn is a modern English variant of the Irish name Caitlín, which derives from the Latin name Catilina and ultimately…"
"Katlyn is a modern English variation of Katherine, derived from the Greek name Aikaterina (Αἰκατερίνα), which means "pure" from the…"
"Katalina is a variant spelling of Catharina/Katherine, derived from the Greek name Aikaterine (Αἰκατερίνη), which likely originates from "katharos" meaning…"
"Kaitlynn is a modern English variation of Caitlin, which derives from the Irish name Caitríona, ultimately rooted in the Latin…"
"Katelynn is a modern English variant of Katherine, derived from the Greek name Katerina (Αικατερίνα), which means "pure" from the…"
"The name 'Kaytlyn' is a modern English variant of 'Caitlin', which derives from the Irish Gaelic name 'Caitlín', itself a…"
"Kathlene is a variant spelling of Kathleen, derived from the Irish name Cathleen, which comes from the Latin name Catherina,…"
"The name Katlin is a variant of Caitlin, which is the Irish Gaelic form of the Greek name Katherine, meaning…"