"pure, chaste"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Kaitlin
Does Kaitlin flow with your last name?
An Irish form of Katherine meaning pure
Irish
English
American
Classic
Strong
Traditional
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Meaning & Origin
"clear, unsullied"
Origin: Greek katharos
Language: English
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The Story of Kaitlin
Kaitlin is an anglicized spelling of the Irish Caitlín, itself derived from Katharine through the Old French Cateline. The name ultimately traces to the Greek Aikaterine, whose meaning is debated but most likely relates to the Greek word katharos, meaning pure. The Irish form gained prominence as Irish culture flourished in the diaspora.
Kaitlin and its many spellings peaked in the 1990s and early 2000s, driven by the broader popularity of Kate-based names. The spelling Kaitlin was popular among parents who wanted an Irish-flavored alternative to the more common Caitlin.
In Ireland, Caitlín (pronounced KAWCH-leen) is a distinctly Irish form of Catherine with deep nationalist associations. In Irish poetry, Caitlín Ní Houlihán is a personification of Ireland herself, used in works by W.B. Yeats.
Historical Record
Kaitlin first appeared in US Social Security records in 1971.
Over 57,319 babies have been named Kaitlin in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kaitlin is past its peak , currently ranked #5,120 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Irish Caitlín is pronounced very differently than its English counterpart
- W.B. Yeats wrote a famous play called Cathleen Ni Houlihan in 1902, cementing the Irish form in literary history
Kaitlin in Other Languages
Irish
Caitlín
French
Catherine
German
Katharina
Italian
Caterina
Spanish
Catalina
Popularity Over Time
#5,120
Current Rank
Peaked 1994
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Kaitlin
K
Kaitlin Olson
Actor
1975
American actress and comedian known for playing Dee Reynolds on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
K
Kaitlin Cooper Fictional
Other
Fictional character on the TV series The O.C., played by actress Willa Holland
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Compare Kaitlin with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,120
- Total SSA Count
- 26
- Cultural Origins
- Irish English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Kate
Katie
Kaity
Linnie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kaitlin
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Kaitlin is also used as a boy name, ranked #37597.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kaitlin
What does the name Kaitlin mean?
"pure, chaste" (from Greek). "clear, unsullied" (from Greek katharos). Kaitlin is an anglicized spelling of the Irish Caitlín, itself derived from Katharine through the Old French Cateline. The name ultimately traces to the Greek Aikaterine, whose meaning is debated but most likely relates to the Greek word katharos, meaning pure. The Irish form gained prominence as Irish culture flourished in the diaspora.
What is the origin of the name Kaitlin?
Kaitlin has Greek, Greek katharos, Irish, English, and American origins. In Greek, it means "pure, chaste". In Greek katharos, it means "clear, unsullied".
Is Kaitlin a boy or girl name?
Kaitlin is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #5120. As a boy name, it is ranked #37597. Kaitlin is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Kaitlin?
Kaitlin is currently ranked #5120 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Kaitlin?
Common nicknames for Kaitlin include Kate, Katie, Kaity, and Linnie.
What are good middle names for Kaitlin?
Popular middle name pairings include Kaitlin Marie, Kaitlin Anne, Kaitlin Elizabeth, Kaitlin Grace, Kaitlin Rose, Kaitlin Jane, and Kaitlin Nicole.
What are good sibling names for Kaitlin?
Names that pair well with Kaitlin as siblings include Maeve, Siobhan, Declan, Brendan, Fiona, Niamh, and Connor.
How many syllables does Kaitlin have?
Kaitlin has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Kaitlin a common or rare name?
Kaitlin is an uncommon name, ranked #5120 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Kaitlin?
About the Name Kaitlin
Kaitlin is a girl name with Irish, English, and American origins . The name means "pure, chaste" in Greek .
Is Kaitlin a boy or girl name? Kaitlin is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #5,120 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #37,597. Kaitlin is more commonly used as a girl name.
Kaitlin is currently ranked #5,120 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Kaitlin has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Kaitlin include Kate, Katie, Kaity, and Linnie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Kaitlin include Kaitlyn, Kaitlynn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis