Kathleen

For many more names, please return to Edgar's Main Page.

Kathleen

Gender: Feminine
Language: Anglicized Irish Gaelic
Etymology:
Kathleen is the Anglicized form of Caitlín, the Irish Gaelic form of Cateline, the Old French form of Katherine. Katherine is a blend of the (possibly) Coptic name Aikaterina and the Greek word “katharos” (pure). Possibly connected with the Greek word “aikia” (torture) or the goddess of the underworld named Hecate.

History:
Kathleen, as an Irish name, was especially popular during the fifties in the United States. Currently, however, it is far more popular in its original form, Caitlín.
Please see Caitlín, or Katherine, for additional information.

Pronunciation: kath-leen.

Diminutives:
English: Kate, Katie, Kathy, Kathie.

Alternates: Cathleen, Kathaleen, Katheleen, Kathlen, Kathlene, Kathlin, Kathline.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Kathleen Raine (1908-)
English poet.
Kath(leen) Walker (1920-1993)
Australian writer.
Kathleen Tynan (1937-1995)
British novelist.

Educators, Scholars, and Social Workers:
Dame Kathleen Kenyon (1906-1978)
English archaeologist.

Scientists:
Dame Kathleen Lonsdale (1903-1971)
British crystallographer.

Singers and Entertainers:
Kathleen Ferrier (1912-1953)
British singer.
Kathleen Battle (1948-)
American opera singer.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.424 % named Kathleen
0.017 % named Cathleen
0.003 % named Kathlene
0.003 % named Kathlyn
0.002 % named Kathaleen
0.001 % named Katelin
0.001 % named Katheleen
0.001 % named Kathline

Popularity of Kathleen:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: 128th most popular.
1910-1920: 104th most popular.
1920-1930: 81st most popular.
1930-1940: 72nd most popular.
1940-1950: 18th most popular.
1950-1960: 15th most popular.
1960-1970: 33rd most popular.
1970-1980: 68th most popular.
1980-1990: 71st most popular.
1990: 95th most popular.
1991: 104th most popular.
1992: 120th most popular.
1993: 123rd most popular.
1994: 136th most popular.
1995: 142nd most popular.
1996: 155th most popular.
1997: 175th most popular.
1998: 171st most popular.
1999: 196th most popular.
2000: 208th most popular.
2001: 239th most popular.
2002: 261st most popular.
2003: 286th most popular.

Popularity of Cathleen:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1930: N/A
1930-1940: 924th most popular.
1940-1950: 391st most popular.
1950-1960: 295th most popular.
1960-1970: 333rd most popular.
1970-1980: 559th most popular.
1980-1990: 908th most popular.
1990-2000: N/A