Kathleen
Every Kathleen since 1880 — 715,336 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kathleen
Kathleen is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #1,156 in 2025 with 201 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 715,336 American babies have been named Kathleen. Its peak came in 1951, when 26,749 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Kathleen stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kathleen year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 201 | #1,156 | — | — |
| 2024 | 223 | #1,100 | — | — |
| 2023 | 248 | #1,023 | — | — |
| 2022 | 228 | #1,097 | — | — |
| 2021 | 262 | #987 | — | — |
| 2020 | 253 | #1,005 | — | — |
| 2019 | 280 | #944 | — | — |
| 2018 | 306 | #885 | — | — |
| 2017 | 314 | #873 | — | — |
| 2016 | 341 | #838 | — | — |
| 2015 | 341 | #824 | — | — |
| 2014 | 422 | #674 | — | — |
| 2013 | 432 | #660 | — | — |
| 2012 | 427 | #662 | — | — |
| 2011 | 451 | #632 | — | — |
| 2010 | 495 | #596 | — | — |
| 2009 | 542 | #564 | — | — |
| 2008 | 704 | #448 | — | — |
| 2007 | 779 | #422 | — | — |
| 2006 | 878 | #371 | — | — |
| 2005 | 934 | #339 | — | — |
| 2004 | 1,002 | #316 | — | — |
| 2003 | 1,096 | #284 | — | — |
| 2002 | 1,208 | #262 | — | — |
| 2001 | 1,337 | #237 | — | — |
| 2000 | 1,585 | #204 | — | — |
| 1995 | 2,280 | #139 | — | — |
| 1990 | 3,670 | #92 | 14 | #4,085 |
| 1985 | 4,087 | #68 | 22 | #2,388 |
| 1980 | 3,857 | #82 | 10 | #3,992 |
| 1975 | 3,545 | #80 | 18 | #2,403 |
| 1970 | 7,410 | #45 | 23 | #1,876 |
| 1965 | 11,778 | #34 | 33 | #1,348 |
| 1960 | 16,085 | #27 | 32 | #1,414 |
| 1955 | 22,014 | #17 | 33 | #1,328 |
| 1950 | 25,706 | #10 | 40 | #1,133 |
| 1945 | 13,802 | #19 | 35 | #1,112 |
| 1940 | 5,697 | #40 | 26 | #1,323 |
| 1935 | 3,353 | #71 | 14 | #1,988 |
| 1930 | 3,074 | #84 | 16 | #1,930 |
| 1925 | 3,503 | #81 | 11 | #2,676 |
| 1920 | 3,158 | #91 | — | — |
| 1915 | 1,940 | #104 | 6 | #3,630 |
| 1910 | 622 | #131 | — | — |
| 1905 | 386 | #152 | — | — |
| 1900 | 321 | #171 | — | — |
| 1895 | 192 | #196 | — | — |
| 1890 | 105 | #239 | — | — |
| 1885 | 38 | #333 | — | — |
| 1880 | 21 | #358 | — | — |
Famous people named Kathleen
- Kathleen Turner Actor · b. 1954
- Kathleen Ferrier Singer · 1912–1953
- Kathleen Freeman Actor · 1919–2001
- Kathleen Kennedy Producer · b. 1953
- Kathleen Quinlan Actor · b. 1954
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Kathleen in 2025?
Kathleen ranked #1,156 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 201 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Kathleen?
715,336 babies have been named Kathleen in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kathleen most popular?
Kathleen peaked in 1951, when 26,749 newborns received the name.
Is Kathleen a boy or girl name?
Kathleen is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Kathleen rising or falling?
Kathleen is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Kathleen?
Well-known people named Kathleen include Kathleen Turner (actor), Kathleen Ferrier (singer), Kathleen Freeman (actor).