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Caitrin

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Caitrin

Pronounced KATH-rin /ˈkæθ.rɪn/Medium

Meaning: Caitrin is an Irish form of Catherine, ultimately from the Greek Aikaterine, long linked to katharos, 'pure.' The Irish Caitrin is usually said with a soft th sound; some American families say it more like 'KAY-trin.'Low

In 30 seconds: Caitrin is an Irish form of Catherine, long linked to 'pure.' It appeared for United States girls in the mid-1970s and stayed rare (said KATH-rin).

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Origin MediumIrish, Greek

MeaningCaitrin is an Irish form of Catherine, ultimately from the Greek Aikaterine, long linked to katharos, 'pure.' The Irish Caitrin is usually said with a soft th sound; some American families say it more like 'KAY-trin.'

U.S. rank (2017)#16329 ↘ Falling

2017 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1986

Total births (all-time)≈ 410

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Caitrin is a genuine Irish form of Catherine, from the Greek Aikaterine, a name long associated with katharos, 'pure.' It belongs to the Celtic-revival naming that brought Irish spellings like Caitlin and Sinead to American families. Caitrin first appears in United States birth records around 1976 and touched a small high around 1986, with use into the 2010s.

It was never common, given to only a couple dozen girls a year even at its peak. A Caitrin from that high would be in her late thirties now; it reads as an authentic Irish spelling rather than a coinage.

Did you know? Caitrin is the Irish sister of Catherine and Katherine, all reaching back to the Greek Aikaterine, a name long tied to the word for 'pure.'

Overall data confidence 50%

References - Caitrin — Irish form of Catherine; Greek Aikaterine, katharos 'pure'; Celtic-revival naming

Variations

CatherineCaitlinKatherine

Nicknames

CaitTrina

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Caitrin…

Caitlin— a fellow Irish form of Catherine

Catherine— the parent name behind Caitrin

Sinead— a like authentic Irish girls' name

Niamh— another Irish heritage name in feel

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Caitrin mean?

It is an Irish form of Catherine, from the Greek Aikaterine, long linked to 'pure.'

How do you pronounce Caitrin?

It's often said KATH-rin /ˈkæθ.rɪn/, two syllables; some families say it more like KAY-trin.

Is Caitrin a boy or girl name?

Caitrin is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Caitrin?

It has always been rare, given to only a couple dozen girls a year at its peak in the mid nineteen-eighties.