Irish · Greek

Kathleen

Pronounced KATH-leenShare

Meaning: Form of Katherine; traditionally associated with purity

  • Girl
  • Uncommon
  • 2 syllables

The story

Kathleen Anglicizes Caitlín, the Irish form of an Old French Katherine name. Pure is a later religious association; the original Greek derivation remains debated.

Nicknames

  • Kate
  • Kathy
  • Kat
  • Kit

Spellings & variants

  • Cathleen
  • Caitlín
  • Kathlyn

Popularity

Uncommon

Outside the US top 1,000.

Style

Origins

Kathleen comes from Irish and Greek.

More like Kathleen

More Irish names
Irish · Greek

Caitríona

Irish form of Katherine; traditionally associated with purity

Rare gem
English · Irish

Colleen

Girl

Uncommon
Irish

Brigid

Exalted one

Uncommon
Irish · Arabic · Scandinavian

Mona

Little noble one in Irish; other origins also exist

Uncommon
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