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Cathleen

Girl

Meaning of Cathleen: Irish: 'pure'

Cathleen is a girl's name most strongly associated with Irish naming. It has 8 letters and 2 syllables, and it is a genuinely rare and unique choice — 8970th most popular girls' name in the United States in 2025.

US rank 2025

#8970

10 babies in 2025

England & Wales 2024

—

Fewer than 3 babies or unlisted

US babies since 1880

29,933

First recorded 1896 · peak 1958

Trend

stable

Style: rare

Popularity over time

1981: 197 babies1982: 203 babies1983: 177 babies1984: 177 babies1985: 189 babies1986: 178 babies1987: 162 babies1988: 151 babies1989: 140 babies1990: 129 babies19901991: 125 babies1992: 115 babies1993: 109 babies1994: 115 babies1995: 72 babies1996: 77 babies1997: 75 babies1998: 65 babies1999: 74 babies2000: 56 babies20002001: 52 babies2002: 52 babies2003: 43 babies2004: 43 babies2005: 42 babies2006: 38 babies2007: 45 babies2008: 44 babies2009: 46 babies2010: 21 babies20102011: 29 babies2012: 16 babies2013: 33 babies2014: 27 babies2015: 21 babies2016: 16 babies2017: 18 babies2018: 13 babies2019: 8 babies2020: 11 babies20202021: 11 babies2022: 13 babies2023: 7 babies2024: 12 babies2025: 10 babies
US babies named Cathleen per year (Social Security Administration). Peak bar = 203.

Gender split

0% boys · 100% girls, based on US, UK and international usage.

Origins & cultures

More Irish girls' names

Other names starting with C