Cathleen: Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity

Pronunciation: c-ahthl-eh-ehn
Origin: Greece
gender-female

Emmy Samtani

Emmy Samtani

Emmy is the founder of Kiindred and mother to 3 little ones. Over the last 4 years, she has worked with some of the most credible experts in the parenting space and is a keen contributor on all things parenthood.
Updated on Jun 10, 2025 · 1 min read
Region Origin: Mediterranean
Meaning: Cathleen symbolizes 'honor and idealism'.

Cathleen is a feminine given name with Irish and English origins, meaning "pure." It is a variant of Kathleen, which has Greek roots and is associated with the name Catherine. The name has been in use for centuries and has been influenced by various literary and cultural figures. Over time, the popularity of the name has fluctuated, but it remains a timeless choice for parents seeking a name with strong historical and cultural significance. Cathleen was once a more popular name, ranking in the top 1000 in the US, but its popularity has declined in recent years. Despite this, it continues to be a cherished name due to its rich history and meaningful origins. The name Cathleen is important because it reflects the cultural heritage of Ireland and England. It is also associated with strong female figures in literature and history, such as the Countess Cathleen from William Butler Yeats's play, who symbolizes honor and idealism.

Cathleen Name Popularity Data

chat-overall Cathleen is currently #10963 in the popularity of the name rankings.
gender-female Girl: Cathleen is currently #6171 on Kiindred Girl Names
gender-male Overall Nature: Cathleen is currently #5261 on Kiindred Nature Names
gender-female Girl Nature: Cathleen is currently #2956 on Kiindred Girl Nature Names

Popularity Trend Chart

Source: Social Security Administration

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