Kathileen is of Irish origin, derived from the Irish given name Caitlín, which itself comes from the Gaelic name Cathal, meaning 'pure'. The name gained prominence in Ireland during the Middle Ages and was often used for females born into families with strong Celtic heritage.
The spelling Kathileen is a less common variant, perhaps influenced by English or Scottish naming practices. It is composed of "Kath", an abbreviation of Catherine, combined with "-ileen", a diminutive suffix popular in Irish names like Coilin, Seán, and Síle.
Over time, this unique spelling has contributed to Kathileen's rarity, making it distinctive and memorable among other Kathleen or Caitlin spellings. It offers a blend of traditional Irish roots with a touch of individuality.
In literature, there are no notable characters named Kathileen, allowing anyone bearing this name to create their own story and identity associated with it.
The name Kathileen experienced a brief spike in popularity between the years 1951 and 1952 with seven babies named in that year alone. However, it seems to have been less favored in the following years, with five or fewer births annually from 1954 onwards. Overall, there were twenty-nine children named Kathileen born between 1951 and 1959.