The Baby Name Wizard

Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Kathleen!

Comments and insights on the name Kathleen: | Edit

I was born in 1988 and have never met another Kathleen that is around my age. All the Kathleen's I know are older irish women, including my boyfriend's mother. Kathleen doesn't seem like quite the dazzling name. I don't anticipate it making the most popular names list any time soon, but I sort of like that aspect of it. I grew up with so many girls named Sarah, Amanda, and Melanie in my class rooms. Guess those were popular 90s names.

My friends usually refer to me either by my full name, NEVER Kathy, and acceptable alternatives have always been Kat, and Leen.

Personal experiences with the name Kathleen: | Edit

This is my name. I was born in 1979 and now it seems a little dated. I was always called "Kathy" as a nickname, but as I got older people started calling me "Kat". I really don't care for my name, but at the same time, I don't hate it.

This is my name also. I was born in 1983, and have always been called "Katie". As a child I thought Kathleen was a name for "old ladies", but now that I am older I love that my real name is NOT Katherine. I know so many Katherines, and I am so glad to have a different name! I also love my nickname.

My name is Kathleen, as well. I was born in 1989 and have only met one other Kathleen who is around my age. Like the other bloggers here, the majority of Kathleens that I meet are at least 50 years old and typically go by Kathy or Kathi. While growing up, I have always hated being called Kathi, and preferred to have people call me Kathleen, Kate, or KT (which is what my parents have always called me, unless I was in trouble for some reason). I like my name for the most part. I don't think it sounds prestigious or outrageous or really cool for that matter, but I do think its unique for this time. However, I think it will become even less popular in the future.

Nicknames for Kathleen: | Edit

Kat, Kate, Kath, Kathie, Kathy, Kay, Kitty, Lena, Katie, Kitkat, KT

Meanings and history of the name Kathleen: | Edit

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Famous real-life people named Kathleen: | Edit

Kathleen Munroe, actress
Kathleen Turner, actress
Kathleen Harrison, British character actress
Kathleen Kennedy (film producer), movie producer
Kathleen Noone, American actress
Kathleen Quinlan, American actress
Kathleen Robertson, Canadian actress
Kathleen O'Toole, police commissioner of Boston, Massachusettsss
Kathleen Byron, British actress
Lady Cathleen Hudson (1921-1994), younger daughter of John Granville Cornwallis Eliot, 6th Earl of St Germans
Cathleen Nesbitt (1888-1982), British actress
Kathy Griffin, American comedienne

Kathleen in song, story & screen: | Edit

"I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen", Irish and American song
"Kathleen Mavourneen", Irish traditional song
"Hook" song by PJ Harvey features a Kathleen
Kathleen Kelly, lead character in 1998's You've Got Mail played by Meg Ryan
Kathleen Mead, character on '80s teen series Degrassi Junior High