Kathleen is a classic and elegant female given name of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic 'Caitlín', which itself is a diminutive form of 'Cait' meaning 'pure'. It was popularized in English-speaking countries through its association with Kathleen O'Hagan, a character in Sir Walter Scott's poem "The Lady of the Lake" (1810). The name gained further popularity in the United States following the publication of the song "Kathleen Mavourneen" in the late 19th century. Today, it is still widely recognized and appreciated for its rich history and timeless charm.
The name Kathleen experienced significant popularity highs and lows over the given time period. Starting with only 6 births in 1915, it peaked with a striking 56 births in 1949 and again at 48 births in 1959. However, by 1991, there were merely 5 births recorded for the name Kathleen, indicating a considerable decline in its popularity over time.