Name meaning & stats
Kathleen
Kathleen (Irish origin). 624,088 US babies since 1940, peak 1951. Notable Kathleens are 2.0× over-represented as politicians.
What it means
No agreed meaning on record
Irish
From Caitlín, the Irish Catherine.
In US birth records
Peak year: 1951
624,088 US babies were named Kathleen between 1940 and 2025.
Where Kathleens end up
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Politician | 2.0× | High · 63 people |
| Actor | 0.7× | High · 38 people |
| Writer | 1.0× | High · 37 people |
| Professor | 1.5× | High · 31 people |
Among notable women who are politicians, Kathleens show up 2.0× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
One more thing…
Kathleen has a surprise career: 2.3×
Spelling family
The most common spelling: 94% of the family
- Kathleen 94%
- Cathleen 4%
- Kathlyn 1%
- Kathlene <1%
- Kathaleen <1%
- Katheleen <1%
- Cathlene <1%
- Kathlynn <1%
- Kathyleen <1%
- Cathlyn <1%
Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.
Name twins (peaked around 1951)