Kathleen
Meaning of Kathleen
The name Kathleen is a classic and timeless choice for a baby girl, with deep roots in Irish heritage. Derived from the Irish name Caitlín, which itself is a form of Catherine, Kathleen means "pure" or "clear." Pronounced as KATH-leen (/ˈkæθliːn/), this name has been cherished across generations and cultures. Common variations include Kathlyn and Kathlene. Kathleen enjoyed significant popularity in the mid-20th century in the United States, peaking in the 1940s and 1950s when it was consistently ranked among the top names for baby girls. Although its popularity has waned in recent years, it remains an enduring favorite due to its graceful sound and rich cultural associations. Whether you're drawn to its traditional charm or its elegant simplicity, Kathleen offers a beautiful option for your little one.
Pronunciation
British English
- Pronunced as KATH-leen (/ˈkæθliːn/)
American English
- Pronunced as KATH-leen (/ˈkæθlin/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Kathleen
| Kathleen Wynne - Kathleen O'Day Wynne is a Canadian former politician who made history as the first female premier of Ontario and the first openly gay premier in Canada. |
| Mary Kathleen Turner is an acclaimed American actress with a distinctive husky voice, who has received two Golden Globes and nominations for an Academy Award, a Grammy, and two Tony Awards. |
| Kathleen Deanna Battle is an American operatic soprano known for her distinctive vocal range and tone, with a career that spans concert repertoire, opera, and recordings. |
| Kathleen Scott - Edith Agnes Kathleen Young, Baroness Kennet, FRBS was a prolific British sculptor known for her portrait heads, busts, and public monuments, including war memorials and statues of her first husband, Captain Robert Falcon Scott. Despite being described as the most significant and prolific British women sculptor before Barbara Hepworth, her traditional style and opposition to abstract art have led to a lack of recognition for her artistic achievements. |
| Kathleen O'Neal Gear is a renowned American archaeologist, historian, and New York Times bestselling author with numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to literature and historical preservation. |
| Dame Kathleen Mary Kenyon was a renowned British archaeologist known for her influential work in excavating the ancient site of Jericho and her contributions to the study of Neolithic culture in the Fertile Crescent. |
| Kathleen Kennedy Townsend - Kathleen Hartington Kennedy Townsend is an American attorney and politician who served as the first female lieutenant governor of Maryland from 1995 to 2003. |
| Kathleen Cavendish, Marchioness of Hartington - Kathleen Agnes Cavendish, also known as "Kick" Kennedy, was an American socialite and the second daughter of Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Kennedy, known for her connections to the Kennedy family and her marriage to the Marquess of Hartington. |
| Kathleen Kennedy is a prominent American film producer and the president of Lucasfilm, known for co-founding Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg and Frank Marshall in 1981. |
| Kathleen Clarke was a prominent figure in Irish history, known for her involvement in the Easter Rising and her political career as a TD, Senator, and the first female Lord Mayor of Dublin. |
| Kathleen Cody, also known as Kathy Cody, is an American actress famous for her roles in the television series Dark Shadows as Hallie Stokes and Carrie Stokes, with a career spanning over 30 years. |
| Kathleen Robertson is a Canadian actress known for her roles in Boss, Murder in the First, Beverly Hills, 90210, and Northern Rescue. |
| Kathleen M. Sutcliffe - Kathleen Sutcliffe is a renowned professor known for her research on high-reliability organizations and group decision making, particularly in the context of health care safety and resilience. |
| Kathleen Denise Quinlan is a renowned American actress known for her acclaimed performances in films like "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden" and "Apollo 13," with a career spanning nearly five decades. |
| Kathleen Marie Blee is a prominent American sociologist and Distinguished Professor of Sociology at the University of Pittsburgh, known for her research on gender, race, social movements, and the sociology of space and place, with a special focus on the influence of gender on racist movements. |
