Kathleen
Meaning: Goddess of wisdom and warfare
Origin: Greek — the name of the goddess Athena; etymology uncertain, possibly pre-Greek
Gender: Girl
Rank in Australia: #90
Total births: 6,041
History: Kathleen peaked in the 1950s in Australia. The name connects to Ireland through the song 'Kathleen Mavourneen,' beloved by Irish-Australian immigrants. Kathleen represents the Irish women who helped build Australia while dreaming of home.
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Look at the data
Every number here comes directly from Australia’s birth records. No estimates, no averages — just the counts.
| Current rank (1990) | #94 |
| Babies named Kathleen in 1990 | 92 |
| Total recorded in Australia | 6,041 |
| Peak year | 1952 (329 babies) |
| Highest rank ever | #29 |
| Years in records | 1952–1990 (36 years of data) |
Frequently asked about Kathleen
What does the name Kathleen mean?
Kathleen means “Goddess of wisdom and warfare” from Greek — the name of the goddess Athena; etymology uncertain, possibly pre-Greek roots.
What is the origin of the name Kathleen?
Kathleen has Greek — the name of the goddess Athena; etymology uncertain, possibly pre-Greek origin. The traditional meaning is “Goddess of wisdom and warfare”.
How popular is Kathleen in Australia?
Kathleen ranked #94 in Australia in 1990 — given to 92 babies that year.
When was Kathleen most popular?
Kathleen peaked in 1952 with 329 babies registered that year in Australia.
Is Kathleen a boy or girl name?
Kathleen is predominantly a girls' name in Australia — over 90% of Kathleens in registered births are female.
How long has Kathleen been recorded in Australia?
Kathleen appears in birth records in Australia across 36 years — from 1952 through 1990.