"pure, clear"
Origin: Greek via Irish
Language: Irish
Caitlin
Pronunciation: [ k-AYTL-ihn ]
Does Caitlin flow with your last name?
Ireland's own Catherine — pure and timeless
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Meaning & Origin
"each of the two, pure"
Origin: Greek Aikaterine
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Caitlin Jenner (Kaitlyn) — for some families this spelling may evoke a political association
The Story of Caitlin
Caitlin is the Irish form of Catherine/Katherine, derived from the Greek Aikaterine, whose meaning is debated — it is often associated with the Greek katharos meaning pure or clear. Caitlin was the standard Irish Gaelic spelling, brought to English speakers through the Irish literary and cultural revival of the late 19th and 20th centuries. The traditional Irish pronunciation (KATH-lin or KAWT-leen) differs markedly from how most Americans say the name.
Caitlin peaked in the US during the 1980s-1990s as Irish names became fashionable. The name spawned numerous spelling variants (Kaitlyn, Katelyn, Caitlyn) as American parents sought phonetic spellings. By the 2010s, the name was declining as the Kaitlyn spelling dominated.
In Irish culture, Caitlín has been used as a personification of Ireland itself in poetry and song, similar to Éire or Hibernia. The 18th-century poem Caitlín Ní Uallacháin by William Heffernan depicts Ireland as a woman longing for liberation.
Historical Record
Caitlin first appeared in US Social Security records in 1955.
Over 112,068 babies have been named Caitlin in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Caitlin is past its peak , currently ranked #1,686 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Caitlín was used as a poetic personification of Ireland in 18th-century aisling (dream vision) poetry
- The traditional Irish pronunciation KAWT-leen is very different from the American KAYT-lin — leading to endless mispronunciation
Caitlin in Other Languages
Greek
Αικατερίνη
Irish
Caitlín
French
Catherine
Russian
Екатерина
Spanish
Catalina
Popularity Over Time
#1,686
Current Rank
Peaked 1988
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Caitlin
C
Caitlin Clark
Athlete
2002
American basketball player who broke NCAA scoring records at Iowa and became the top WNBA draft pick in 2024
C
Caitlin Moran
Writer
1975
British journalist, author, and feminist known for How to Be a Woman and her column in The Times
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,686
- Total SSA Count
- 121
- Cultural Origins
- Irish Welsh American English Australian
- Pronunciation
- Hard
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Cait
Kate
Katie
Catie
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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Caitlin
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Caitlin is also used as a boy name, ranked #7094.
View Caitlin as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Caitlin
What does the name Caitlin mean?
"pure, clear" (from Greek via Irish). "each of the two, pure" (from Greek Aikaterine). Caitlin is the Irish form of Catherine/Katherine, derived from the Greek Aikaterine, whose meaning is debated — it is often associated with the Greek katharos meaning pure or clear. Caitlin was the standard Irish Gaelic spelling, brought to English speakers through the Irish literary and cultural revival of the late 19th and 20th centuries. The traditional Irish pronunciation (KATH-lin or KAWT-leen) differs markedly from how most Americans say the name.
What is the origin of the name Caitlin?
Caitlin has Greek via Irish, Greek Aikaterine, Irish, Welsh, American, English, and Australian origins. In Greek via Irish, it means "pure, clear". In Greek Aikaterine, it means "each of the two, pure".
Is Caitlin a boy or girl name?
Caitlin is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1686. As a boy name, it is ranked #7094. Caitlin is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Caitlin?
Caitlin is pronounced k-AYTL-ihn.
How popular is the name Caitlin?
Caitlin is currently ranked #1686 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Caitlin?
Common nicknames for Caitlin include Cait, Kate, Katie, and Catie.
What are good middle names for Caitlin?
Popular middle name pairings include Caitlin Marie, Caitlin Ann, Caitlin Elizabeth, Caitlin Rose, Caitlin Grace, Caitlin Louise, and Caitlin Brigid.
What are good sibling names for Caitlin?
Names that pair well with Caitlin as siblings include Siobhan, Fiona, Ciara, Declan, Conor, Aisling, and Niamh.
How many syllables does Caitlin have?
Caitlin has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Caitlin a common or rare name?
Caitlin is an uncommon name, ranked #1686 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Caitlin?
Are there other spellings for Caitlin?
Related spellings include Caitlyn.
About the Name Caitlin
Caitlin is a girl name with Irish, Welsh, American, English, and Australian origins . The name means "pure, clear" in Greek via Irish .
Is Caitlin a boy or girl name? Caitlin is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,686 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #7,094. Caitlin is more commonly used as a girl name.
Caitlin is currently ranked #1,686 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Caitlin has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-AYTL-ihn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Caitlin include Cait, Kate, Katie, and Catie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Caitlin include Caitlyn . 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