Alex vs Caitlyn

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Alex

Boy #205 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"defender of men"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English Greek Spanish Russian French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#205
Total SSA Count
1,722
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Al, Lex

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Alex →

Caitlyn

Girl #2,348 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"pure, unblemished"

Origin: Greek via Irish

Cultural Roots

Irish Welsh American British

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,348
Total SSA Count
78
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Cait, Kate, Katie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Caitlyn →

Popularity Comparison

Alex Rank #205
Caitlyn Rank #2,348

Alex is more popular, ranked #205 vs #2348 for Caitlyn.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Alex ___

  • Alex James
  • Alex Michael
  • Alex Thomas
  • Alex Ryan
  • Alex John
  • Alex William

Caitlyn ___

  • Caitlyn Grace
  • Caitlyn Rose
  • Caitlyn Marie
  • Caitlyn Lynn
  • Caitlyn Anne
  • Caitlyn Jane

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Alex

Ryan Emma Sophie Natalie Jack

If you choose Caitlyn

Brendan Declan Siobhan Aoife Niamh

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alex or Caitlyn more popular?

Alex is more popular, ranked #205 compared to Caitlyn at #2348 in the United States.

What do Alex and Caitlyn mean?

Alex means "defender of men" (Greek origin). Caitlyn means "pure, unblemished" (Greek via Irish origin).

Are Alex and Caitlyn boy or girl names?

Alex is primarily a boy name. Caitlyn is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Alex ← Full profile: Caitlyn Browse all baby names