Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Caitlyn
GirlIrish, Greek· “Irish form of Catherine”
- Meaning
- Irish form of Catherine
- Origin
- Irish, Greek
- Pronunciation
- KAYT-lihn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,492
- US babies 2025
- 71
- Best rank
- #115 (1998)
- Peak year
- 1998
Meaning and origin of Caitlyn
Caitlyn is an Irish and Greek name that is usually said to mean “Irish form of Catherine”.
Caitlyn is an English spelling of the Irish Caitlín, which is the Irish form of Catherine. Catherine comes from the Greek Aikaterine, a name whose origin is uncertain; early Christians linked it to katharos, pure, which shaped both its spelling and its popular meaning. In Irish the name is pronounced roughly KATCH-leen, but English speakers adopted a pronunciation based on the spelling. Caitlyn and similar forms such as Kaitlyn became very popular in the late twentieth century. The name feels friendly and soft, with Cait and Caity as nicknames.
Popularity over time
Caitlyn first appears in US Social Security records in 1968. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 33 different years, starting in 1983. Its best national rank was #115 in 1998, the same year it reached its highest count of 2,937 babies. In 2025, 71 babies were named Caitlyn, and it ranked #2,492 nationally. That is 86% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,312 in 1980, #118 in 2000, #302 in 2010, and #2,492 in 2025. Of the 52,603 US girls named Caitlyn since records began, 42% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 19,782 babies. Since 2010, 6,281 more have been named Caitlyn.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Summer, Cassidy, Esmeralda, Michaela, and Diamond.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Caitlyn ranked highest in Texas, Florida, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | #1936 | 11 |
| Florida | #1940 | 6 |
| California | #3192 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Caitlyn is usually pronounced KAYT-lihn, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with C and ends in “-yn”.
Middle names for Caitlyn
A few middle names that flow with Caitlyn: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Caitlyn
Similar names
Kaitlyn Girl
KAYT-lihn
“form of Caitlin, from Catherine” · American (modern coinage)
#802
Caitlin Girl
KAYT-lihn
“Irish form of Catherine” · Irish
#2,333
Mairead Girl
muh-RAYD
“Irish form of Margaret; pearl” · Irish
#4,317
Katelyn Girl
KAYT-lihn
“form of Caitlin, from Catherine” · American (modern coinage)
#1,077
Kathryn Girl
KATH-rin
“uncertain; associated with pure” · Greek
#729
Kaelyn Girl
KAY-lihn
“modern blend of Kae and -lyn” · American (modern coinage)
#1,601
Kathleen Girl
kath-LEEN
“Irish form of Catherine; meaning uncertain” · Irish
#1,156
Taryn Girl
TAIR-in
“modern blend, perhaps of Tara and Karen” · American (modern coinage)
#3,449
Moira Girl
MOY-ruh
“Irish form of Mary; also Greek fate” · Irish
#2,047
Brooklyn Girl
BRUK-lihn
“from the New York borough” · American (modern coinage)
#118
Jocelyn Girl
JAHS-uh-lihn
“from the Gauts tribe” · French
#393
Jordyn Girl
JAWR-duhn
“to flow down” · American (modern coinage)
#371
Lists that include Caitlyn
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Caitlyn mean?
Caitlyn is an Irish and Greek name that is usually said to mean “Irish form of Catherine”.
What is the origin of the name Caitlyn?
Caitlyn has Irish and Greek roots. Caitlyn is an English spelling of the Irish Caitlín, which is the Irish form of Catherine.
Is Caitlyn a popular name?
Not especially. Caitlyn ranked #2,492 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Caitlyn a boy or girl name?
Caitlyn is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Caitlyn?
Caitlyn is usually pronounced KAYT-lihn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings