Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Kathleen is of Irish origin and means 'pure'. It evolved from Caitlín, a diminutive of the Old French Cateline, which traces back to the Greek Aikaterine. The name has been popular since the 19th century, especially in Irish cultures. It is associated with traits of elegance and tradition, and it does not have a direct biblical relevance. Notable individuals with this name include Kathleen Turner, Kathleen Kennedy, and Kathleen Sebelius.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/kæθˈliːn/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
Kathleen is a diminutive form of the Irish name Caitlín, which itself is a variant of the Old French name Cateline, derived from the Greek name Aikaterine.
Meaning
pure
Language Evolution
Caitlín, Cateline, Aikaterine
Historical Usage
Kathleen gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in Ireland and among Irish communities in the United States.
Variants & Derivatives
Caitlin, Kathy, Kate
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Kathleen is viewed as a classic name that carries a sense of tradition and elegance.
Famous People
Kathleen Turner, Kathleen Kennedy, Kathleen Sebelius
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 26,749 peak births in 1951
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Massachusetts
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (28 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 28 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4055th of 7545 | 61 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1531st of 6773 | 380 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1253rd of 7552 | 715 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2025th of 10718 | 342 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4136th of 16616 | 193 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 102nd of 9107 | 47,700 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 43rd of 9204 | 103,154 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 16th of 12526 | 387,252 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 50th of 19264 | 97,211 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 93rd of 27321 | 55,274 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 306th of 35406 | 16,549 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 893rd of 30306 | 3,646 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
54.11% 842nd/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
52.36% 1166th/2227 |
33.33% 810th/2430 |
- |
42.99% 1193rd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
35.34% 1231st/3483 |
- |
53.07% 2146th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
49.71% 2582nd/5194 |
63.94% 4039th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
6.78% 96th/1416 |
6.38% 88th/1379 |
4.14% 98th/2366 |
8.32% 95th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
2.20% 34th/1546 |
1.99% 31st/1556 |
5.27% 124th/2353 |
2.20% 34th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
0.63% 14th/2227 |
0.37% 9th/2430 |
2.28% 65th/2853 |
0.40% 11th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
1.63% 48th/2937 |
0.60% 21st/3483 |
3.75% 132nd/3518 |
1.43% 58th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
2.20% 81st/3685 |
1.47% 66th/4475 |
2.35% 122nd/5194 |
1.73% 109th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
6.05% 277th/4582 |
3.66% 189th/5164 |
5.00% 366th/7313 |
5.17% 386th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
20.51% 817th/3984 |
15.22% 683rd/4487 |
14.37% 980th/6822 |
15.66% 983rd/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Massachusetts across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Baby Boomers generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, stalled for male in West, falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, falling for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 4055th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1531st out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1253rd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2025th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4136th out of 16616 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 102nd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 43rd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 16th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 50th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 93rd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 306th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 893rd out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.