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Kathleen

The name Kathleen peaked for boys at #930 in 1949. Kathleen is occasionally used for girls in 2025.

The name Kathleen is a girl's name of Irish origin meaning "pure".

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Names that Peaked in 1949

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Dog Names That Start With K

Irish Names that Start With K

Kathleen is the early Irish import version that came between Katherine and Kaitlin, and which hasn't been used in so long it's almost beginning to sound fresh again. It was a surprise pick by one of the hip Dixie Chicks, Martie Maguire. Kathleen was a Top 10 name from 1948 to 1951, and it is the subject of several old sentimental songs, such as "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen."
<br/><br/>From the eighteenth century, Kathleen Ni Houlihan appears in Irish songs as a symbol of Ireland, representing its struggle for independence.
<br/><br/>Kathy Griffin and Kate Walsh were born Kathleen, and it's J.K. Rowling's adopted middle name, after her paternal grandmother. JFK's sister Kathleen was known as Kick.

Victorian Girl Names

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Fictional Princess Names

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Nameberry's Favorite Girl Names

Victorian Names from the 1800s

Names to Substitute for Kaitlyn

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International Variations of Katherine

Girl Names That End in een, ene, or ine

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Variations of Katherine

Irish

Nameberry

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England

The name Kathleen is currently ranked #984 in U.S. births. and peaked for girls at #9 in 1949. It is currently rising in popularity. The name is most popular in KATHLEEN, KATHLEEN, and KATHLEEN. Kathleen is occasionally used for boys in 1991.

Catherine

Cathleen

Katherine

Year	US rank	Births	Per million
2014	—	0	0
2015	—	0	0
2016	—	0	0
2017	—	0	0
2018	—	0	0
2019	—	0	0
2020	—	0	0
2021	—	0	0
2022	—	0	0
2023	—	0	0
2024	—	0	0
2025	—	0	0

Kathleen

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