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At a Glance
- Origin
- Irish (form of Katherine)
- Gender
- Used for both boys and girls
- Pronunciation
- KAHT-leen
Caitlin is an Irish form of Katherine, pronounced KAHT-leen. You'll often hear that it means 'pure,' but that's a folk link through Katherine to the Greek katharos, and scholars don't actually agree on where Katherine itself comes from.
Meaning & Origin of Caitlin
Origin: Irish (form of Katherine).
A common claim: Pure Actually: Caitlin is widely said to mean 'pure,' but that's a folk link (via Katherine) to Greek katharos; scholars don't actually agree on Katherine's root.
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Caitlin
KAHT-leenIPA /kætˈliːn/
Popularity of Caitlin
Caitlin peaked at #44 in 1988, when 7,246 babies were given the name. By 2024 it had slipped to #1679 with 121 babies, so you're unlikely to meet many other Caitlins in a classroom today.
Names Like Caitlin
These names have followed a similar path to Caitlin in U.S. popularity over the years.
FAQ
What does the name Caitlin mean?
Pure Caitlin is widely said to mean ‘pure,’ but that’s a folk link (via Katherine) to Greek katharos; scholars don’t actually agree on Katherine’s root.
How do you pronounce Caitlin?
Caitlin is pronounced KAHT-leen (IPA: /kætˈliːn/).
Is Caitlin a popular name right now?
Caitlin peaked at #44 in 1988 and is ranked #1679 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1955–2024.)
Make Caitlin Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Caitlin, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
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