Girl · 39th of 35,406
Kaitlyn
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
166,573
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2000
Peak Popularity Year
8,771
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Kaitlyn stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Kaitlyn is an Irish name that means 'pure' and is a diminutive of Caitlín, which itself is derived from the Greek name Catherine. The name has evolved through various forms and gained significant popularity in the late 20th century. It is often associated with modern femininity and has notable variants. There is no biblical background associated with this name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkeɪt.lɪn/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
Kaitlyn is derived from the Irish name Caitlín, which is a diminutive form of the name Catherine. The name Catherine itself comes from the Greek 'katharos', meaning 'pure'.
Meaning
pure
Language Evolution
Caitlín, Catherine, Kaitlyn
Historical Usage
The name Kaitlyn gained popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, largely due to its modern spelling and association with the name Catherine.
Variants & Derivatives
Caitlin, Kaitlynn, Kaitlin, Catelyn
Modern Popularity & Image
Kaitlyn is perceived as a trendy and youthful name, often associated with modern femininity and charm.
Famous People
Kaitlyn Maher, Kaitlyn Black, Kaitlyn Dias
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 8,771 peak births in 2000
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 6 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 42 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Caithlin
Caitlain
Caitlen
Caitlin
Caitlinn
Caitlyn
Caitlyne
Caitlynn
Caitlynne
Caytlin
Caytlyn
Caytlynn
Kaetlin
Kaetlyn
Kaitelyn
Kaitelynn
Kaithlyn
Kaitleen
Kaitlen
Kaitlin
Kaitlyne
Kaitlynn
Kaitlynne
Kaityln
Kaitylyn
Kateleen
Katelin
Katelyn
Katelyne
Katelynn
Katelynne
Katielyn
Katilyn
Katylyn
Katylynn
Kaytelyn
Kaytelynn
Kaytlin
Kaytlinn
Kaytlyn
Kaytlynn
Kaytlynne
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 6 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6435th of 16616 | 92 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 7610th of 24088 | 140 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 5597th of 19264 | 143 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 92nd of 27321 | 55,292 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 39th of 35406 | 98,817 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 321st of 30306 | 12,089 |