Kathleen
Peaked at #9 nationally in 1949, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Kathleen has been recorded >99% of the time for girls and <1% of the time for boys.
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Kathleen — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#9
in 1949
Current rank
#1109
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Kathleen reached its peak popularity for girls in 1949, ranking #9 nationally with 26,357 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #674 (2014) to #1109 (2024) — a 39% drop.
As of 2024, Kathleen ranks #1109 nationally for girls, with 220 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #1,109 | 220 |
| 2023 | #1,021 | 248 |
| 2022 | #1,096 | 228 |
| 2021 | #987 | 262 |
| 2020 | #1,005 | 253 |
| 2019 | #944 | 280 |
| 2018 | #884 | 306 |
| 2017 | #871 | 314 |
Kathleen — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#930
in 1949
Last ranked
#8890
in 1991
Years tracked
72
1915–1991
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1915, Kathleen reached its peak popularity for boys in 1949, ranking #930 nationally with 56 babies given the name that year.
Kathleen hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for boys since 1991, when it stood at #8890.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | #8,890 | 5 |
| 1990 | #4,085 | 14 |
| 1989 | #2,440 | 27 |
| 1988 | #4,313 | 11 |
| 1987 | #2,680 | 20 |
| 1986 | #3,066 | 16 |
| 1985 | #2,389 | 22 |
| 1984 | #2,129 | 25 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was Kathleen most popular?
Kathleen was most popular in 1949, when it ranked #9 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Kathleen becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Kathleen?
At least 715,129 babies have been recorded with the name Kathleen in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Kathleen? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.