Caitlin vs Tess

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Caitlin

Girl #1,686 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"pure, clear"

Origin: Greek via Irish

Cultural Roots

Irish Welsh American English Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,686
Total SSA Count
121
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Cait, Kate, Katie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Caitlin →

Tess

Girl #1,774 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"to harvest, reaper"

Origin: Greek therizo

Cultural Roots

English Irish American European

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,774
Total SSA Count
113
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Tess →

Popularity Comparison

Caitlin Rank #1,686
Tess Rank #1,774

Caitlin is more popular, ranked #1686 vs #1774 for Tess.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Caitlin ___

  • Caitlin Marie
  • Caitlin Ann
  • Caitlin Elizabeth
  • Caitlin Rose
  • Caitlin Grace
  • Caitlin Louise

Tess ___

  • Tess Anne
  • Tess Elaine
  • Tess Miriam
  • Tess Jo
  • Tess Louise
  • Tess Marie

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Caitlin

Siobhan Fiona Ciara Declan Conor

If you choose Tess

Nora Alice Cecily Arthur Edmund

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 Caitlin or Tess more popular?

Caitlin is more popular, ranked #1686 compared to Tess at #1774 in the United States.

What do Caitlin and Tess mean?

Caitlin means "pure, clear" (Greek via Irish origin). Tess means "to harvest, reaper" (Greek therizo origin).

Are Caitlin and Tess boy or girl names?

Caitlin is primarily a girl name. Tess is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Caitlin ← Full profile: Tess Browse all baby names