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NamyLab

Kathleen

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Pure"

Anglicized from Irish Caitlín, a form of Katherine, ultimately from Greek meaning pure, and widely used in Irish diaspora communities.

Themes:pureirishkatherineanglicized
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 Kathleen

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#1109Ranked in 2024

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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
#1109

Kathleen was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-88

lower 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

Kathleen Nicknames

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

12 ideas
Katie
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Kath
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katy
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kath
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ka
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leen
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ky
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ko
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kie
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kkie
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eeny
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KA
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Baby Name Lists That Include Kathleen

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

17 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Kathleen mean?
Kathleen means "Pure". Anglicized from Irish Caitlín, a form of Katherine, ultimately from Greek meaning pure, and widely used in Irish diaspor
What is the origin of Kathleen?
Kathleen 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 Kathleen?
According to the latest SSA data, Kathleen is currently ranked #1109 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 Kathleen a girl name?
Kathleen 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 Kathleen?
Popular nicknames for Kathleen include Katie, Kath, katy, kath, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Kathleen?
There are many names similar to Kathleen in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginIrish, English
Syllables2
Length8 letters
US Rank#1109
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withK

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Kathleen

Kathleen 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.

Kathleen 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 Traditional English Names and Names That Mean The Sun for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Kathleen pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Kathleen 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.