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Home › Baby Names Directory › Caitlan

Caitlan

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Caitlan

Pronounced KAYT-lin /ˈkeɪt.lɪn/High

Meaning: Caitlan is a variant of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine, which traces back through the Greek Aikaterine and is traditionally glossed as 'pure.' The -an ending is one of the many spellings that multiplied when the Irish name became an American favorite; the meaning follows Katherine.Medium

In 30 seconds: Caitlan (said 'KAYT-lin') is a spelling of Caitlin — the Irish form of Katherine, 'pure' — one of the many looks the name wore at its American peak.
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Origin MediumIrish, English
MeaningCaitlan is a variant of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine, which traces back through the Greek Aikaterine and is traditionally glossed as 'pure.' The -an ending is one of the many spellings that multiplied when the Irish name became an American favorite; the meaning follows Katherine.
U.S. rank (2012)#17369 ↗ Rising
2012 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1990
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,047

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199019832012

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

Caitlan is a spelling variant of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine, from Greek roots meaning 'pure.' Caitlin surged in the U.S. from the 1980s, and its variant spellings surged alongside it. Caitlan appears from the early 1980s, peaked around 1990, and eased off through the 2010s as the whole cluster cooled.

A Caitlan from the 1990 peak is now in her thirties, a Millennial-era name. The spelling ties her to that boom of Irish-inspired names, and this particular form has not revived; the classic Caitlin and the respelling Katelyn remain more familiar. It offers the nickname Katie and pairs well with siblings such as Ryan, Erin or Connor.

Did you know? Caitlin came to America as an Irish spelling of Katherine and promptly shattered into Caitlyn, Katelyn, Kaitlin, Caitlan and more — a rare case of one name outrunning its own spelling.
Overall data confidence 66%
References — Caitlan — Variant of Caitlin (Irish form of Katherine, 'pure'); c.1990 peak

Variations

CaitlinCaitlynKatelyn

Nicknames

KatieCait

Famous Bearers

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If you like Caitlan…

Caitlin— the standard Irish spelling Caitlan varies
Caitlyn— a same-era spelling of the name
Katelyn— a like respelling of the same Irish name
Kaitlyn— another popular spelling of the cluster

Explore names like Caitlan

By themerespellingirish1990s

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Caitlan mean?

Caitlan is a variant of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine, traditionally meaning 'pure.'

How do you pronounce Caitlan?

It's said KAYT-lin /ˈkeɪt.lɪn/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Caitlan a boy or girl name?

Caitlan is used as a girl's name, always as a girl's name.

How popular is Caitlan?

Caitlan was an uncommon spelling that peaked at the start of the nineties amid the Caitlin boom and has been rare since.

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