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Kathleen

“Variant of Caitlin — Debated; possibly 'each of the two' (Greek), popularly linked to 'pure'” — Greek via French origin

Girl's name · #1156 in the US (2025) · Heirloom

Kathleen belongs to an older America first — it reached #9 back in 1949 — yet it still appears in today's records at #1156. About 714,000 girls have carried it since 1880. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records. Kathy is a short form of Kathleen.

Around the world: about 1 in 1,800 girls in N. Ireland (2025) · about 1 in 1,900 girls in Ireland (2025) · about 1 in 4,500 girls in Scotland (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 24 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Kathleens

• Kathleen Turner — American actress (born 1954)
• Kathleen Kennedy — American film producer (born 1953)
• Kathleen Lonsdale — Irish crystallographer (1903-1971)
• Kathleen Ferrier — English contralto singer (1912–1953)
• Kathleen Quinlan — American actress

In stories & tradition

• Kathleen Slater — EastEnders
• Kathleen Mallory — literary character
• Kathleen McQueen — Hollyoaks

What Kathleens become

Among 1,414 notable people named Kathleen:

Scientists & scholars appear 1.49× more often than among typical names — e.g. Kathleen Kenyon, British archaeologist (1906-1978).

Similar names: Kaitlyn · Sandra · Cattleya · Cynthia · Carolyn · Karen

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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