The name Kathlene is a feminine given name derived from the Greek name Katherine, which itself is derived from the Greek word "katharos," meaning "pure" or "clear." The name Katherine was popularized during the Middle Ages, particularly after the establishment of the St. Catherine's Monastery on Mount Sinai in the 6th century.

The variant spelling "Kathlene" is believed to have originated in Ireland during the 19th century, possibly as a result of the anglicization of the Irish name Caitlín, which is the Irish form of the name Catherine. This spelling was likely adopted to make the name more easily pronounceable for English speakers.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Kathlene can be found in the 1891 Irish census, where a small number of individuals were recorded with this spelling. However, the name did not gain widespread popularity until the 20th century.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kathlene. One of the earliest was Kathlene MacKay (1824-1898), a Scottish author and poet who wrote under the pen name "Norah Holland." Another was Kathlene Vermillion (1885-1960), an American actress and vaudeville performer known for her role in the 1919 film "Yankee Doodle in Berlin."

Kathlene Mallory (1901-1977) was an American tennis player who won eight Grand Slam singles titles between 1926 and 1927. Kathlene Holm (1918-2003) was a Norwegian-American actress and singer best known for her role in the 1948 film "The Naked City."

More recently, Kathlene Fox (born 1955) is an American political scientist and author who has written extensively on issues related to gender and politics. She is currently a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder.

While the name Kathlene has never been among the most popular baby names, it has maintained a consistent presence throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, particularly in Ireland, the United States, and other English-speaking countries.