Fun Facts About the Name Kaitlin
- A favorite of earlier generations: Kaitlin appeared in the U.S. top 100 in 3 separate runs, totaling 6 years. Its last run lasted 3 consecutive years, from 1993 through 1995.
- More than 57 thousand babies named Kaitlin: U.S. records list 57,429 babies given the name Kaitlin from 1880 through 2025. Even 75 boys received the name Kaitlin - about 1 boy for every 765 girls.
What Does the Name Kaitlin Mean?
Kaitlin is an anglicized spelling of the Irish name Caitlín, which is the Irish form of Katherine. The name reaches back through Latin Catharina to Greek Aikaterinē (Αἰκατερίνη), a name whose original meaning is uncertain. Early Christian writers linked it to the Greek word katharos, meaning "pure," and that association supplied the customary meaning still given today. The sense of "pure" is therefore a traditional interpretation of the Greek name rather than a securely proven translation.
Kaitlin Name History & Origins
Caitlín came into Irish from Anglo-Norman French Caterine, the form of the name carried to Ireland by Norman settlers. It contains the Irish diminutive suffix -ín, so the name originally carried the sense of "little Katherine." In Irish-language poetry and song the name was used for real and symbolic women, and it stayed a common Irish name for centuries.
When Irish names were anglicized, Caitlín was usually written as Kathleen or Cathleen. The spelling Caitlin is a later English rendering that keeps the shape of the Irish original, and Kaitlin is one of several modern respellings, alongside Katelyn and Katelynn, that appeared in the English-speaking world during the twentieth century. These are different ways of writing the same name rather than separate names with separate origins.
How Popular is the Name Kaitlin?
Kaitlin recorded its highest annual U.S. birth count in 1995. People named Amelia who were born during its modern resurgence from 1993 through 1995 turn 31-33 in 2026.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #4,114 | 35 | 0.0022% |
| 2024 | #5,067 | 26 | 0.0016% |
| 2023 | #4,232 | 34 | 0.0021% |
| 2022 | #5,544 | 23 | 0.0014% |
| 2021 | #4,136 | 35 | 0.0021% |
| 2020 | #3,305 | 47 | 0.0029% |
| 2019 | #2,616 | 67 | 0.0040% |
| 2018 | #2,660 | 65 | 0.0038% |
| 2017 | #2,641 | 66 | 0.0038% |
| 2016 | #2,331 | 81 | 0.0046% |
| 2015 | #1,332 | 178 | 0.0100% |
| 2014 | #1,034 | 251 | 0.0141% |
| 2013 | #1,006 | 248 | 0.0141% |
| 2012 | #837 | 319 | 0.0181% |
| 2011 | #791 | 342 | 0.0194% |
| 2010 | #662 | 441 | 0.0248% |
| 2009 | #576 | 531 | 0.0289% |
| 2008 | #474 | 673 | 0.0356% |
| 2007 | #421 | 781 | 0.0406% |
| 2006 | #344 | 957 | 0.0503% |
| 2005 | #321 | 1,003 | 0.0543% |
| 2004 | #297 | 1,101 | 0.0600% |
| 2003 | #264 | 1,191 | 0.0652% |
| 2002 | #219 | 1,456 | 0.0810% |
| 2001 | #180 | 1,821 | 0.1011% |
| 2000 | #158 | 2,136 | 0.1176% |
| 1999 | #155 | 2,085 | 0.1175% |
| 1998 | #120 | 2,702 | 0.1529% |
| 1997 | #119 | 2,667 | 0.1532% |
| 1996 | #103 | 3,136 | 0.1789% |
| 1995 | #94 | 3,602 | 0.2048% |
| 1994 | #93 | 3,501 | 0.1961% |
| 1993 | #99 | 3,226 | 0.1783% |
| 1992 | #113 | 2,943 | 0.1596% |
| 1991 | #99 | 3,486 | 0.1859% |
| 1990 | #101 | 3,472 | 0.1829% |
| 1989 | #100 | 3,170 | 0.1720% |
| 1988 | #98 | 2,841 | 0.1595% |
| 1987 | #141 | 1,959 | 0.1127% |
| 1986 | #182 | 1,466 | 0.0855% |
| 1985 | #208 | 1,236 | 0.0718% |
| 1984 | #339 | 682 | 0.0405% |
| 1983 | #427 | 506 | 0.0303% |
| 1982 | #696 | 253 | 0.0149% |
| 1981 | #776 | 211 | 0.0126% |
| 1980 | #1,056 | 135 | 0.0081% |
| 1979 | #1,862 | 57 | 0.0036% |
| 1978 | #2,534 | 34 | 0.0022% |
| 1977 | #3,318 | 23 | 0.0015% |
| 1976 | #4,039 | 16 | 0.0011% |
| 1975 | #3,841 | 17 | 0.0012% |
| 1973 | #8,975 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1972 | #6,857 | 7 | 0.0005% |
| 1971 | #6,271 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | #12,283 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1995 | #5,704 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1993 | #9,455 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1991 | #6,902 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1990 | #5,188 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1989 | #4,664 | 11 | 0.0005% |
| 1988 | #4,603 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1987 | #6,532 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1986 | #6,322 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1984 | #6,825 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Explore Name Lists Featuring Kaitlin
Carl appears in several baby name collections based on U.S. popularity records, naming trends, and name characteristics. Explore these lists to discover other names with similar histories, styles, or features.
Past Favorite Girl Names
Explore More Lists with Name Kaitlin
Most Popular Girl Names That Start with K
How the Name Kaitlin Shapes Your Personality and Life?
EXTREMES in fortune, health and spirituality. You are very versatile, idealistic and intuitive. You either enjoy great success or suffer abject misery. The solution is service to others. Use your leadership abilities for humanity and not for self-glorification. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
Dependable, very down-to-earth and well grounded, you are always looking for meaningful work, a career where you can take pride in your work and do the best job you are capable of. Your prime desire is to build protected and secure environment at home and at work. You can be very persuasive in achieving goals and gaining objectives. You can be very detailed and well-organized and possess great organizational skills. At times you may appear too stubborn and overly critical to others, but your practical approach to life and productivity makes you one of the most beneficent members of community.
✦ Kaitlin's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Kaitlin's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.