Rising since 2022.
Popularity of Kaleen since 1949
Babies named Kaleen per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 67 |
| 1960s | 92 |
| 1970s | 71 |
| 1980s | 170 |
| 1990s | 220 |
| 2000s | 88 |
| 2010s | 30 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Kaleen is a rare and under-the-radar name that first entered U.S. birth records in 1949. It has never appeared in the top 1,000, but it reached its peak usage in 1994. In recent years, it has been on a modest upward trajectory, rising since 2022. The name's origins are uncertain, though it is commonly seen as a modern respelling of the Irish name Colleen, meaning 'girl.' With its soft and melodic sound, Kaleen fits well alongside similar stylish sister names like Maeve and Brynn and brother names like Declan and Finn. Parents drawn to distinctive but feminine names may find Kaleen an appealing choice, especially given its quiet but steady rise in contemporary use.
Kaleen is a name of uncertain origin. It may be a modern spelling variant of Colleen, an Irish name derived from the Irish word cailín meaning 'girl,' or it could be a coined name from the fashionable -een suffix. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1949 and saw peak usage in 1994, suggesting a possible cultural or literary influence, though no definitive source has been identified.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kay, Lee, Kali
Sibling names for Kaleen
Names that share Kaleen's style, for a brother or sister.
