N
NamyLab

Cathleen

female
Updated 6 months ago

Meaning

"Pure"

Irish-influenced form of Katherine, tracing to Greek roots traditionally glossed as purity in later interpretive traditions.

Themes:katherineirishvariantpurity
UniqueRare

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Cathleen

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#9030Ranked in 2024

Loading chart...

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#9030

Cathleen was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
+3359

better than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Cathleen Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Cathleen.

10 ideas
Catie
Nickname
Cath
Nickname
cath
Nickname
leen
Nickname
caty
Nickname
cy
Nickname
co
Nickname
ca
Nickname
eeny
Nickname
cie
Nickname

Similar Names to Cathleen

female

Anna

AN-uh

“Grace; Favor”

#94
|Hebrew
female

Angela

AN-juh-luh

“Messenger; Angel”

#282
|Greek
female

Ann

“Grace, Favor”

#1141
|Hebrew
female

Andrea

“Manly, Courageous”

#185
|Greek
female

Alexis

uh-LEK-sis

“Defender; Helper”

#506
|Greek
female

Alyssa

uh-LIS-uh

“Rational; or Alyssum Flower”

#399
|Greek
female

Alexandra

al-ig-ZAN-druh

“Defender of People”

#221
|Greek
female

Anita

“Grace Favor”

#1463
|Hebrew
female

Annette

“Grace”

#1304
|French
female

Agnes

“Pure”

#1063
|Greek

Baby Name Lists That Include Cathleen

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Cathleen, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

17 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Cathleen mean?
Cathleen means "Pure". Irish-influenced form of Katherine, tracing to Greek roots traditionally glossed as purity in later interpretive traditi
What is the origin of Cathleen?
Cathleen is of Irish origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Cathleen?
According to the latest SSA data, Cathleen is currently ranked #9030 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Cathleen a girl name?
Cathleen is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Cathleen?
Popular nicknames for Cathleen include Catie, Cath, cath, leen, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Cathleen?
There are many names similar to Cathleen in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginIrish, Greek
Syllables2
Length8 letters
US Rank#9030
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withC

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Cathleen

Cathleen has Irish roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Irish baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Cathleen appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Beautiful Irish Baby Names and Unique Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Classic Greek Baby Names and Names That Mean The Sun for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Cathleen pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Cathleen beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.