Kathreen
A feminine name derived from the Greek name Katharina, meaning "pure".
Name Census estimates that about 233 living Americans carry the first name Kathreen. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Kathreen today is around 57 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Kathreen births was 1950 (12 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Kathreen. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
233
~ 1 in 1,471,049 Americans
Peak year
1950
12 babies that year
Average age
57
years old
2001 SSA rank
#14,408
Tracked since 1912
Popularity
Kathreen: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Kathreen from the 1910s through to the 2000s, spanning 10 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1950s, with 80 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1950s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kathreen by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Kathreen during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Kathreen
The name Kathreen is of English origin, derived from the Greek name Katharina, which means "pure" or "innocent." The name has been in use since the Middle Ages, with its earliest recorded appearance dating back to the 12th century.
The name Kathreen gained popularity in England during the medieval period, particularly among the nobility. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. Here, a woman named Kathreen is listed as a landowner in Lincolnshire.
In the 13th century, the name Kathreen was borne by St. Kathreen of Alexandria, a Christian martyr and one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic Church. Her story, which involves her refusal to renounce her faith and her subsequent torture and execution, was widely disseminated throughout Europe and contributed to the name's popularity.
During the Renaissance period, the name Kathreen was associated with several prominent figures. One notable example is Kathreen of Aragon (1485-1536), the first wife of King Henry VIII of England. Despite her piety and devotion, her marriage to Henry was annulled, leading to the English Reformation and the establishment of the Church of England.
In the 17th century, the name Kathreen was borne by the English philosopher and writer Kathreen Philips (1631-1664), widely regarded as the first woman to earn a living through her literary works. Her poetry and prose were highly acclaimed during her lifetime and inspired generations of female writers.
Another noteworthy figure with the name Kathreen is Kathreen Whitehorn (1928-2021), a British journalist, writer, and pioneering feminist. She was a regular contributor to various publications, including The Observer and The Guardian, and was known for her wit and insightful commentary on social issues.
Throughout history, the name Kathreen has been popular across various cultures and societies, reflecting its enduring appeal and rich heritage. Its association with purity, innocence, and strength has made it a timeless choice for parents seeking a name with depth and significance.
People
Kathreen + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Kathreen as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with K
Other first names starting with K with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Kathreen: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Kathreen?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 233 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Kathreen going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,471,049 US residents.
Is Kathreen a common name?
We classify Kathreen as "Very Rare". It ranks above 76.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 372 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Kathreen most popular?
The single biggest year for Kathreen was 1950, when 12 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Kathreen is about 57 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Kathreen a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Kathreen in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.