Kathleen

kath-LEEN; kat-LEEN

Anglicized form of Irish Caitlin

"pure"

Kathleen Origin and Meaning

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

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."

From the eighteenth century, Kathleen Ni Houlihan appears in Irish songs as a symbol of Ireland, representing its struggle for independence.

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.

Kathleen Rank in US Top 1000

# 984 in the US

Kathleen Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

# 635 on Nameberry

Popularity of the name Kathleen

• 984 US 2021
• 635 Nameberry 2025
• 22 Unique 2023
• 971 England 2023

20 Names Similar to Kathleen

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Kathleen.

• Jacqueline
• Joanna
• Theresa
• Paulina
• Johanna
• Teresa
• Diane
• Elisabeth
• Bethany
• Christine
• Marie
• Miranda
• Ellen
• Rebekah
• Monica
• Marianne
• Joyce
• Deborah
• Carla
• Marilyn

Famous People Named Kathleen

• Kathleen Sebelius U.S. health secretary and former governor of Kansas
• Kathleen Babineaux Blanco American politician, former governor of Louisiana
• Kathleen Hanna American musician and activist
• Kathleen O'Day Wynne Canadian politician, premier of Ontario
• (Mary) Kathleen Turner American actress
• Kathleen "Kathy" Ireland American model/actress
• Kathleen Doyle "Kathy" Bates American actress
• Kathleen Mary "Kathy" Griffin American actress/comedian
• Kathleen Erin "Kate" Walsh American actress
• Kathleen Winsor American author
• Kathleen Kennedy Townsend American politician; daughter of politician Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel
• Kathleen Agnes "Kick" Kennedy Cavendish sister of U.S. President John F. Kennedy
• Kathleen Kenyon British archaeologist
• Kathleen Noone American actress
• Kathleen Deanna Battle American operatic soprano
• Kathleen "Kitty" McKane Godfree English tennis player
• Kathleen Denise Quinlan American actress
• Kathleen Barr Canadian voice actress
• Kathleen York American actress & songwriter
• Kathleen Archduchess of Austria
• Kathleen Munroe Canadian actress
• Kathleen Boyle Scottish musician of group Cherish The Ladies
• Kathleen Fuentes YouTuber
• Kathleen Genevieve "Katie" Ledecky American swimmer
• Kathleen DeLeon Jones Filipino,Australian singer and children's performer, former member of Australian children's group Hi,5
• Kathleen Rose Perkins American actress
• Kathleen Biden estranged wife of Hunter Biden, son of former US VP Joe Biden
• Kathleen Margaret Edwards Canadian singer,songwriter
• (Erica) Kathleen "Kathy" Horvath American tennis player
• Joanne Kathleen "J.K." Rowling British novelist
• Kathleen Rose Park daughter of Michael Park
• Kathleen "Katie" Camille Naughton American soccer player
• Kathleen Emilie Maguire (b. 2004) daughter of Gareth Maguire
• Aquinnah Kathleen Fox daughter of Machael J. Fox
• Gabrielle Kathleen McCarthy (b. 2008) daughter of Mike McCarthy
• Paulina Kathleen Myers (b. 2015) daughter of Mike Myers
• Ava Rose Kathleen McBride (b. 2005) daughter of Martina McBride

The name Kathleen in Pop Culture

• Kathleen Kelly Meg Ryan's character in "You've Got Mail"
• Kathleen "Kathy" Duquesne character in DC Universe
• Kathleen character in "Fall on Your Knees" (Anne,Marie MacDonald)
• Kathleen Elliot Stabler's daughter on "Law and Order: SVU"
• Kathleen "Kat" Harvey from the movie "Casper the Friendly Ghost"
• Kathleen one of the Twelve Dancing Princesses in the Barbie version
• Kathleen Ni Houlihan personification of Ireland
• Kathleen Walsh character on "Medium"
• Kathleen Gregory character in the "St Clare" book series by Enid Blyton
• "Kathleen " song by Catfish and the Bottlemen
• Kathleen 1941 film starring Shirley Temple
• Kathleen character on TV's Call the midwife, Mary's baby daughter
• Kathleen Mead character in the Degrassi franchise