Cathleen as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Cathleen

What is the meaning of the name Cathleen ?

The baby name Cathleen is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /kæθˈliːn/ (KATH-leen).

Cathleen is English, Irish in Origin.

Cathleen is an English given name derived from the Irish Caitlín, the Gaelic form of Catherine/Katherine. Ultimately it traces to Greek Aikaterinē; while the original sense is debated, it is commonly interpreted as “pure,” by association with Greek katharos. The spelling Cathleen arose as an Anglicized blend of Catherine and the Irish-bred Kathleen, and became established among Irish communities and the wider English-speaking world from the 19th century onward.

Usage peaked in the United States and Britain in the mid-20th century and has since declined, leaving Cathleen with a traditional, gently vintage feel and a clear Irish resonance. Literary visibility includes W. B. Yeats’s patriotic play Cathleen Ní Houlihan, where “Cathleen” personifies Ireland. Variants and relatives include Kathleen, Caitlín/Caitlin, Catherine, Katherine, Katharine, Katarina, Katrina, Catalina, and Katarzyna. Nicknames and short forms: Cathy, Cath, Cat, Cate.