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Home › Baby Names Directory › Cailan

Cailan

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAY-lan /ˈkeɪ.lən/High

Meaning: A form/spelling of Cailean/Colin — from the Scottish Gaelic, 'a whelp; a young dog/pup', hence figuratively 'a young warrior'; also linked to 'a child'; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A whelp; a young pup: Cailan is a form of Cailean/Colin. Crisp, modern, and warm.
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Origin LowScottish
MeaningA form/spelling of Cailean/Colin — from the Scottish Gaelic, 'a whelp; a young dog/pup', hence figuratively 'a young warrior'; also linked to 'a child'; routes layered
U.S. rank (2024)#8399 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births9 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2012
Total births (all-time)≈ 174

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201219992024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Cailan is a form/spelling of Cailean/Colin — from the Scottish Gaelic, 'a whelp; a young dog/pup', hence figuratively 'a young warrior'; also linked to 'a child' (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, modern name (said 'KAY-lan').

In the U.S. it appears as a form of Cailean. Rare, a-young-pup at the root, and modern.

Did you know? Cailean/Colin comes from the Scottish Gaelic, 'a whelp; a young dog/pup', hence 'a young warrior' — Cailan is a form of it, crisp and modern (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'KAY-lan').
Overall data confidence 32%
References — Cailean — routes layered

Variations

CaileanCailenKailan

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Cailan…

Kailan— a kin spelling
Caelan— a fellow -aelan boys' name
Kellan— a sound-neighbor -lan boys' name
Duncan— a fellow Scottish choice
Ewan— shares Cailan's Scottish roots

Explore names like Cailan

By themeuncertainscottish
By meaningWarriorYouth

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Cailan mean?

Cailan is a form of Cailean/Colin — Scottish Gaelic 'a whelp; a young pup', hence 'a young warrior'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Cailan?

It's said KAY-lan /ˈkeɪ.lən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Cailan a boy or girl name?

Cailan is a boy's name.

How popular is Cailan?

Cailan is a very rare name in the U.S.

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