Find out how popular the first name Kathaleen has been for the last 35 years (from 1974 to 2008) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kathaleen by gender

Based on the last 35 years of data, Kathaleen is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2008, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Kathaleen.

The history of the first name Kathaleen

Kathaleen is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Caitlín, which is a diminutive of the name Caitríona. The name Caitríona is derived from the ancient Irish words "cáid" meaning "pure" and "rí" meaning "great queen" or "mighty queen." The name Caitlín was a popular given name in Ireland from the Middle Ages onwards.

The earliest recorded use of the name Kathaleen dates back to the 16th century, when it appeared in various English and Irish texts. It was an English spelling variant used to represent the Irish Gaelic name Caitlín. The name gained popularity among English-speaking families in Ireland and later spread to other parts of the British Isles.

One of the earliest known historical figures with the name Kathaleen was Kathaleen O'Byrne, an Irish noblewoman who lived in the 16th century. She was a member of the powerful O'Byrne clan in County Wicklow, Ireland.

Another notable figure was Kathaleen Nugent, an Irish singer and harpist who lived in the late 18th century. She was renowned for her performances of traditional Irish music and is considered one of the earliest recorded Irish female harpists.

In the 19th century, Kathaleen Mavourneen was a popular Irish ballad that helped to popularize the name further. The song, written by Frederic Nicholls Crouch, tells the story of a young man's love for a woman named Kathaleen.

One of the most famous historical figures with the name Kathaleen was Kathaleen Parr, the sixth wife of King Henry VIII of England. She was born in 1512 and played a significant role in the English Reformation.

Another notable Kathaleen was Kathaleen Caird, a Scottish author and playwright born in 1888. She was known for her novels and plays that explored themes of Scottish culture and identity.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Kathaleen was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kathaleen, please contact us.

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