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Kathleen

Girl name · 2,046 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Kathleen: 2,046 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 143 births in 1974.

The name Kathleen is the anglicised form of the Irish Caitlín, which itself derives from the Greek Aikaterine, traditionally meaning “pure.” One of its most celebrated bearers was Kathleen Ferrier, the beloved English contralto whose warm voice defined a generation of classical music, while Hollywood star Kathleen Turner brought sultry wit to films like *Romancing the Stone*. Though no major place is directly named after her, the root Catherine appears in countless place-names worldwide, from Santa Catalina to St. Catharines. A classic across Ireland, Scotland, and the English-speaking world, Kathleen remains a timeless choice—its affectionate nicknames Kathy and Katie have kept the name familiar for decades, bridging formal elegance with everyday charm.