About the name Kathleen
Kathleen belongs to the French and Irish & Celtic tradition. Its roots are documented, even though its precise meaning is not recorded in the standard references — an honest gap we prefer to a confident guess. It travels in a few spellings: Caitlín.
In the United States, Kathleen first appears in Social Security records in 1880. It climbed to its best-ever rank of #9 in 1949, and in 2024 220 babies received the name — 713,438 in total since 1880. Those are the official counts, not estimates.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kathleen mean?
The meaning of Kathleen is not recorded in the standard references we check. Rather than repeat an unsourced claim, we leave it open — its French origin is documented, but its exact meaning is not.
Is Kathleen a boy or girl name?
Kathleen is a girl name. In 2024, 220 babies received the name in the US.
What origin is the name Kathleen?
Kathleen comes from the French, Irish & Celtic and Greek tradition. It is also spelled Caitlín.
How popular is the name Kathleen?
Kathleen first appears in US records in 1880. Its best-ever ranking was #9 in 1949, and 220 babies were given the name in 2024.
How do you pronounce Kathleen?
Kathleen is pronounced /ˈkæθˌlin/ (IPA).
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