Kathleen is a feminine given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name "Caitlín," which is composed of the elements "cait" meaning "pure" or "clear" and "linne" meaning "little lake." Therefore, Kathleen can be translated as "pure little lake."
The name Kathleen gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 19th century, following the Irish Potato Famine. As Irish immigrants settled in various parts of the world, they brought their cultural traditions with them, including their naming practices.
One notable figure associated with the name Kathleen is Kathleen O'Hagan, a young Irish woman who was sentenced to death for her role in the Irish Rebellion of 1798. Her story has been immortalized in W.B. Yeats' poem "The Ballad of Kathleen O'Hagan." This poem contributed to the growing awareness and popularity of the name Kathleen among English-speaking populations.
Today, Kathleen remains a popular given name, particularly in Ireland, Scotland, and other parts of the British Isles. It is also recognized as an Irish-American name due to its historical association with Irish immigration to the United States. Although its usage has somewhat declined since the mid-20th century, it continues to be chosen by parents for their daughters as a strong, timeless, and culturally significant name.
In summary, Kathleen is an Irish feminine given name that means "pure little lake." It gained popularity during the 19th century due to Irish immigration and has been associated with notable figures such as Kathleen O'Hagan. Today, it remains a popular choice for parents seeking a strong and culturally significant name for their daughters.
The given statistics show the annual number of births with the name Kathleen in the United States from 1880 to 2023. Throughout this period, the popularity of the name has varied significantly.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Kathleen was a relatively uncommon name. The highest number of births registered in the first decade (1880-1890) was 149 in 1892. However, this figure remained low compared to later years.
The popularity of the name began to increase significantly in the early 20th century. In 1946, there were 18,760 births with the name Kathleen, marking a substantial rise from previous decades. This trend continued into the 1950s and 1960s, with the highest number of births recorded in 1952 at 26,716.
However, after reaching its peak in the mid-20th century, the popularity of the name Kathleen began to decline. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the annual number of births with this name had dropped significantly, reaching a low point of 428 in 1973.
In recent decades, the name Kathleen has remained relatively uncommon. Between 2000 and 2023, the annual number of births with this name has fluctuated between a high of 542 in 2009 to a low of 228 in 2022.
Overall, while Kathleen was once a popular name in the United States, its popularity has significantly declined over time. Despite this decline, it remains an uncommon but classic choice for parents looking for a distinctive name with a rich history.