Cathleen
Every Cathleen since 1896 — 29,933 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Cathleen
Cathleen is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #9,581 in 2025 with 10 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1896, 29,933 American babies have been named Cathleen. Its peak came in 1958, when 1,159 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 Cathleen stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Cathleen 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 | 10 | #9,581 | — | — |
| 2024 | 12 | #8,557 | — | — |
| 2023 | 7 | #12,402 | — | — |
| 2022 | 13 | #8,129 | — | — |
| 2021 | 11 | #9,090 | — | — |
| 2020 | 11 | #9,062 | — | — |
| 2019 | 8 | #11,577 | — | — |
| 2018 | 13 | #8,243 | — | — |
| 2017 | 18 | #6,596 | — | — |
| 2016 | 16 | #7,327 | — | — |
| 2015 | 21 | #6,069 | — | — |
| 2014 | 27 | #5,053 | — | — |
| 2013 | 33 | #4,348 | — | — |
| 2012 | 16 | #7,523 | — | — |
| 2011 | 29 | #4,830 | — | — |
| 2010 | 21 | #6,225 | — | — |
| 2009 | 46 | #3,522 | — | — |
| 2008 | 44 | #3,658 | — | — |
| 2007 | 45 | #3,613 | — | — |
| 2006 | 38 | #3,942 | — | — |
| 2005 | 42 | #3,523 | — | — |
| 2004 | 43 | #3,452 | — | — |
| 2003 | 43 | #3,365 | — | — |
| 2002 | 52 | #2,860 | — | — |
| 2001 | 52 | #2,816 | — | — |
| 2000 | 56 | #2,638 | — | — |
| 1995 | 72 | #1,922 | — | — |
| 1990 | 129 | #1,265 | — | — |
| 1985 | 189 | #853 | — | — |
| 1980 | 186 | #840 | — | — |
| 1975 | 261 | #608 | — | — |
| 1970 | 636 | #375 | — | — |
| 1965 | 886 | #301 | — | — |
| 1960 | 950 | #304 | — | — |
| 1955 | 1,008 | #268 | — | — |
| 1950 | 759 | #280 | — | — |
| 1945 | 311 | #403 | — | — |
| 1940 | 116 | #645 | — | — |
| 1935 | 61 | #885 | — | — |
| 1930 | 57 | #971 | — | — |
| 1925 | 73 | #871 | — | — |
| 1920 | 51 | #1,042 | — | — |
| 1915 | 33 | #1,200 | — | — |
| 1910 | 27 | #833 | — | — |
| 1905 | 11 | #1,173 | — | — |
| 1900 | 6 | #1,758 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Cathleen
- Cathleen Nesbitt Actor · 1888–1982
- Cathleen Synge Morawetz Mathematician · 1923–2017
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Cathleen in 2025?
Cathleen ranked #9,581 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 10 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Cathleen?
29,933 babies have been named Cathleen in the United States since 1896, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Cathleen most popular?
Cathleen peaked in 1958, when 1,159 newborns received the name.
Is Cathleen a boy or girl name?
Cathleen is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Cathleen rising or falling?
Cathleen is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Cathleen?
Well-known people named Cathleen include Cathleen Nesbitt (actor), Cathleen Synge Morawetz (mathematician).