Meaning & Origin
A female given name from Irish.
Kathleen is a girl's and boy's baby name of Irish origin, the Anglicized form of Caitlín, itself derived from Catherine, ultimately from Greek, meaning 'pure.' The name carries centuries of Irish literary and folk tradition, appearing in countless ballads as a symbol of Ireland itself.
Kathleen was a top-20 American name from the 1940s through the 1960s, fueled by Irish-American pride and the folk song Kathleen Mavourneen. It has a distinctly melodic quality — three syllables that fall naturally — and the nicknames Kathy or Kate offer modern flexibility. As Irish heritage names regain interest, Kathleen stands as one of the more elegant options available.