Kathleen
Kathleen is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Pure.
Origin and history
Kathleen is an Anglicized form of the Irish name Caitlín, which derives from the Greek name Katherine. Historically associated with female usage, it has also appeared sporadically in U.S. male birth records over the past century. Its classical root is generally understood to mean pure.
Popularity in the United States
1,691 babies in the United States have been named Kathleen since 1880. It ranks #3089 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- NY (49 %)
- CA (14.9 %)
- MA (10.1 %)
- PA (9.5 %)
- DC (6.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 14 |
| 1920-1930 | 82 |
| 1930-1940 | 158 |
| 1940-1950 | 362 |
| 1950-1960 | 394 |
| 1960-1970 | 300 |
| 1970-1980 | 178 |
| 1980-1990 | 184 |
| 1990-2000 | 19 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Nicknames
Kathy, Kath, Kate, Kat
Fun facts
- Kathleen arose as the English phonetic spelling of the Gaelic name Caitlín.
- While predominantly given to girls in the mid-20th century, it saw occasional historic usage for boys.