How to say it
KAIT · lyn
ˈkeɪt.lɪn
Feminine
Kaitlyn
Pure
What it means
A modern American respelling of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine, usually glossed as 'pure.'
Kaitlyn is a late 20th century American respelling of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine. Caitlin came through the Old French Cateline from Katherine, which goes back to the Greek Aikaterine, most often linked to katharos ('pure, clear'). When English speakers began saying Caitlin as KAYT-lin rather than the Irish KOTCH-leen, a burst of respellings followed, including Katelyn, Kaitlin, and Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn peaked in US popularity in the 1990s and 2000s and has since eased down, sitting at rank 802 in 2025.
How to spell Kaitlyn
The standard spelling is Kaitlyn. Common variants include Caitlin, Katelyn, Kaitlin, Caitlyn, Katherine, but Kaitlyn is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #30 in 2000, currently #802 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
One of many respellings of Caitlin, alongside Katelyn and Kaitlin.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Kaitlyn Dever American actress known for Booksmart and Unbelievable
Spelling variants
- Caitlin
- Katelyn
- Kaitlin
- Caitlyn
- Katherine
Names with the same feeling
See Kaitlyn from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Kaitlyn mean?
- A modern American respelling of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine, usually glossed as 'pure.'
- What does Kaitlyn mean in Irish?
- In Irish, Kaitlyn means "Pure." Kaitlyn is a late 20th century American respelling of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine. Caitlin came through the Old French Cateline from Katherine, which goes back to the Greek Aikaterine, most often linked to katharos ('pure, clear'). When English speakers began saying Caitlin as KAYT-lin rather than the Irish KOTCH-leen, a burst of respellings followed, including Katelyn, Kaitlin, and Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn peaked in US popularity in the 1990s and 2000s and has since eased down, sitting at rank 802 in 2025.
- How do you pronounce Kaitlyn?
- Kaitlyn is pronounced ˈkeɪt.lɪn. Say it as KAIT-lyn, with the stress on the "kait" syllable.
- How do you spell Kaitlyn?
- The standard spelling is Kaitlyn. Common spelling variants include Caitlin, Katelyn, Kaitlin, Caitlyn, Katherine.
- Is Kaitlyn a boy or girl name?
- Kaitlyn is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Kaitlyn?
- Kaitlyn ranked #802 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.