Irish Girl Names That Mean Purity
Irish girl names that mean purity mostly trace back to one word, Caitlín, though a strong-and-noble family sits alongside it.
Names81
OriginIrish
MeaningPurity
GenderGirl
Almost every name on this page is really one name wearing different clothes. Caitlin is the Irish form of Catherine, rooted in the Greek 'katharos,' meaning pure, and it spread into Kathleen, Katelyn, Caitlyn, Kaitlin, Kaitlynn, and Katlyn.
A second, separate thread runs through Brianna, Brianny, and Brianne, all built from Brian, meaning high or noble rather than pure. Cailyn and Kayli sit closer to Caoilfhionn, 'slender and fair,' a quieter Irish echo worth knowing.
Why one Irish word became so many names
Caitlín didn't travel to America as a single spelling; it arrived through generations of ears and pens, which is how Katelyn, Caitlyn, and Kaitlynn all carry the same 'pure' meaning under different letters. Irish anglicization worked this way for centuries, softening Gaelic sounds into forms English speakers could spell and say, so a parent choosing any of these is really choosing one old word in a new coat.
Finding Irish girl names that mean purity beyond the obvious
If Caitlin feels too expected, the same 'pure' meaning lives quietly in Kathleen, carried by generations of Irish American women and folk songs, or in Katlyn, a leaner modern take. For a different flavor entirely, Brianna and Brianne trade purity for nobility, proof that this list holds more than one Irish idea worth considering.
Names List
Brianna#222 in the U.S.Strong, virtuous, honourable — feminine form of Brian, from Old Celtic brig (high, noble, strong)Pronounced bree-AN-uh▶Katelyn#931 in the U.S.Pure; American spelling variant of Caitlin, the Irish form of Catherine, from Greek AikaterinePronounced KAYT-lin▶Kathleen#1109 in the U.S.Pure; Irish anglicization of Caitlín, the Irish form of Katherine, from Greek AikaterinePronounced KATH-leen▶Caitlin#1679 in the U.S.The Irish form of Catherine, ultimately from Greek 'katharos' meaning 'pure'.Pronounced KAYT-lin▶Caitlyn#2346 in the U.S.pure, unsulliedPronounced KAYT-lin▶Brianny#3079 in the U.S.Strong, virtuous, honourable; a variant of Brianna, the feminine form of the Celtic name BrianPronounced bree-AN-ee▶Enis#3250 in the U.S.Enis's exact source is unclear; it may trim Agnes, the Greek hagnos name meaning pure or chaste, or echo Pronounced EE-nis▶Cailyn#3278 in the U.S.Modern blend of Kay — from Katherine, 'pure' — and -lyn, from Welsh llyn, 'lake'Pronounced KAY-lin▶Kaitlynn#3528 in the U.S.Double-n spelling of Kaitlyn, from Irish Caitlín — a form of Katherine, long associated with 'pure'Pronounced KAYT-lin▶Kayli#3530 in the U.S.Variant of Kaylee/Kayleigh — a blend of Kay ('pure') and -lee, or an Irish surname linked to 'slender'Pronounced KAY-lee▶Brianne#4197 in the U.S.Feminine of Brian — Celtic/Irish, likely 'high, noble' or 'strong, virtuous'Pronounced bree-AN▶Kaitlin#5067 in the U.S.Spelling of Caitlin — the Irish form of Katherine, linked to Greek katharos, 'pure'Pronounced KAYT-lin▶Katlyn#5504 in the U.S.Kat-/-lyn spelling of Caitlin/Kaitlyn — the Irish form of Katherine, from Greek katharos, 'pure'Pronounced KAT-lin▶Kaislyn#5684 in the U.S.A modern coinage joining a Kais- opening (echoing Kaisa/Kasey, 'pure'; or Cais, 'celebration') with the -Pronounced KAYZ-lin▶Caelyn#5813 in the U.S.A modern name joining a Cae- opening (echoing Cael, 'slender', and Kay/Katherine, 'pure') with the -lyn ePronounced KAY-lin▶Brihanna#6655 in the U.S.A spelling of Brianna — a feminine of Brian, from Irish, variously 'noble; high; strong; virtuous'; the -Pronounced bree-AH-nah▶Caitlynn#7638 in the U.S.A spelling of Caitlin — the Irish form of Catherine, from Greek, long read 'pure' (via katharos); the oldPronounced KAYT-lin▶Kathlean#8132 in the U.S.Kathlean is a variant spelling of Kathleen, the anglicized form of the Irish Caitlin, which itself derivePronounced kath-LEEN▶Kaytlin#8153 in the U.S.A spelling of Caitlin — an Irish form of Katherine, from the Greek katharos, 'pure; clean'Pronounced KAYT-lin▶Kaytlyn#8154 in the U.S.A spelling of Caitlyn — an Irish form of Katherine, from the Greek katharos, 'pure; clean'Pronounced KAYT-lin▶Keitlyn#8156 in the U.S.A spelling of Caitlyn — an Irish form of Katherine, from the Greek katharos, 'pure; clean'Pronounced KAYT-lin▶Cathlyn#8525 in the U.S.A form/spelling of Cathleen/Caitlin — an Irish form of Catherine, from the Greek katharos, 'pure' (the trPronounced KATH-lin▶Cathleen#9030 in the U.S.A spelling of Kathleen — an Irish form of Katharine, from the Greek katharos, 'pure'Pronounced kath-LEEN▶Kaitland#9035 in the U.S.Kaitland is a modern respelling of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine, whose traditional meaning is 'puPronounced KAYT-luhnd▶Conlee#9035 in the U.S.A spelling of Conley — an Irish surname, variously 'a hound of valor' and 'sensible/chaste fire' (from CoPronounced KON-lee▶Cathaleen#10607 in the U.S.Cathaleen is an expanded spelling of Cathleen, itself an Irish form of Katherine, from the Greek katharosPronounced kath-uh-LEEN▶Brianni#12349 in the U.S.A modern respelling in the Brianna/Briana family, the feminine of Brian, from an Irish/Celtic root read aPronounced bree-AH-nee▶Brionna#12356 in the U.S.A spelling in the Brianna/Briana family, the feminine of Brian, from an Irish root read as 'noble; high; Pronounced bree-ON-ah▶Caitriona#12364 in the U.S.The Irish (Gaelic) form of Catherine, from the Greek Aikaterine, traditionally read as 'pure.' Note the sPronounced kuh-TREE-nuh▶Katlin#12403 in the U.S.Katlin is a stripped spelling of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine, from Greek katharos, 'pure.' RemovPronounced KAYT-lin▶Kathlene#12493 in the U.S.A trimmed spelling of Kathleen, an Irish form of Katherine, from the Greek read as 'pure.' A mid-century Pronounced kath-LEEN▶Kaithlyn#12718 in the U.S.Kaithlyn is a modern respelling of Kaitlyn or Caitlin, an Irish form of Katherine, from the Greek katharoPronounced KAYTH-lin▶Kaytlynn#12803 in the U.S.Kaytlynn is one of many respellings of Kaitlyn, which comes from Caitlin, the Irish form of Catherine. CaPronounced KAYT-lin▶Katlyne#13047 in the U.S.Katlyne is one of the many respellings of Caitlin/Kaitlyn. Caitlin is the Irish form of Katherine, traditPronounced KAT-lin▶Caitlynne#13269 in the U.S.Caitlynne is a doubled-consonant spelling of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine. Katherine descends froPronounced KAYT-lin▶Catlin#13643 in the U.S.Catlin is a streamlined spelling of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine, from the Greek katharos, 'pure.Pronounced KAYT-lin▶Kateleen#13714 in the U.S.Kateleen is a spelling of Kathleen, the anglicized Irish Caitlin, which itself comes from Katherine, fromPronounced kayt-LEEN▶Katelynd#13721 in the U.S.Katelynd is a decorative spelling of Katelyn, an Americanized form of the Irish Caitlin, which is itself Pronounced KAYT-lind▶Caitlinn#13726 in the U.S.Caitlinn is a respelling of Caitlin, with a doubled n. Caitlin is the Irish form of Catherine, which comePronounced KAYT-lin▶Calyn#13749 in the U.S.A trimmed modern spelling of Kaylin/Caitlin, names that trace loosely to Caitlin (from Catherine, often rPronounced KAY-lin▶Catelynn#13767 in the U.S.Catelynn is a modern respelling of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine, which traces to the Greek katharPronounced KAYT-lin▶Kathline#14025 in the U.S.Kathline is a variant spelling of Kathleen, the anglicized Irish form of Caitlin and so of Katherine, froPronounced KATH-leen▶Kaitlan#14192 in the U.S.Kaitlan is a respelling of Caitlin or Katelyn, the Irish form of Katherine, reaching English through CatePronounced KATE-lin▶Katlynn#14269 in the U.S.Katlynn is a phonetic respelling of Kaitlyn, from the Irish Caitlin, a form of Catherine (linked to GreekPronounced KAT-lin▶Kathelyn#14297 in the U.S.A modern spelling in the Kathleen/Katelyn family, all growing from Katherine — traditionally glossed 'purPronounced KATH-uh-lin▶Keytlin#14354 in the U.S.Keytlin is a modern respelling of Caitlin, the Irish form of Catherine. Catherine's origin is debated; itPronounced KAYT-lin▶Khilee#14400 in the U.S.Khilee is a creative phonetic respelling of Kylie or Kiley; Kylie is often said to derive from an AustralPronounced KY-lee▶Kathleene#14494 in the U.S.Kathleene is an ornamented respelling of Kathleen, the anglicized form of the Irish Caitlin, itself from Pronounced kath-LEEN▶Katilyn#14668 in the U.S.Katilyn is a respelling of Caitlin/Katelyn, the Irish Caitlín being a form of Katherine, from Greek kathaPronounced KAYT-lin▶Catelin#14871 in the U.S.Catelin is a variant spelling of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine, which traces to the Greek aikateriPronounced KAYT-lin▶Katilynn#15011 in the U.S.Katilynn is a respelling of Katelyn and Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine through Caitlin. Behind themPronounced KAT-uh-lin▶Kathyleen#15303 in the U.S.Kathyleen reads as a blend of the pet form Kathy and the Irish name Kathleen. Kathleen itself is the IrisPronounced KATH-uh-leen▶Breann#15640 in the U.S.A short form of Briana/Breanne, the feminine of Brian, usually read as 'noble; strong; virtuous.' Crisp aPronounced bree-ANN▶Catelyn#15692 in the U.S.Catelyn is a respelling of Caitlin or Katelyn, the Irish form of Katherine, which reached English throughPronounced KATE-lin▶Cait#15729 in the U.S.Cait is the Irish short form of Caitlin and Caitriona, the Gaelic forms of Katherine. Katherine descends Pronounced KAYT▶Katelinn#15776 in the U.S.Katelinn is a modern spelling of Caitlin or Katelyn, the Irish forms of Katherine, from the Greek name trPronounced KAYT-lin▶Katelen#15961 in the U.S.Katelen is one of the many modern respellings of Caitlin and Katelyn. Caitlin is the Irish form of CatherPronounced KAYT-lin▶Catlyn#16167 in the U.S.Catlyn is a simplified spelling of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine (from Greek 'Aikaterine', long liPronounced KAT-lin▶Kerrin#16251 in the U.S.Kerrin reads as a variant of Karen or Kerry: Karen is the Danish short form of Katherine, from Greek kathPronounced KAIR-in▶Caitrin#16329 in the U.S.Caitrin is an Irish form of Catherine, ultimately from the Greek Aikaterine, long linked to katharos, 'puPronounced KATH-rin▶Katelin#16347 in the U.S.Katelin is an Americanized spelling of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine, from Greek katharos, 'pure.'Pronounced KAYT-lin▶Kaleen#16355 in the U.S.Kaleen is a trimmed, phonetic form of Kathleen or Colleen. Kathleen comes from Catherine, Greek for 'purePronounced kuh-LEEN▶Kaitlinn#16393 in the U.S.Kaitlinn is one of many respellings of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine, from the Greek katharos, purPronounced KAYT-lin▶Cathlene#16595 in the U.S.Cathlene is a streamlined spelling of Cathleen and Kathleen, the anglicized forms of the Irish Caitlín, iPronounced kath-LEEN▶Kaetlyn#16685 in the U.S.Kaetlyn is a respelling of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine, from Greek katharos, 'pure'; the ae/-lynPronounced KAYT-lin▶Kaitlen#16816 in the U.S.Kaitlen respells Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine, from Greek katharos, 'pure'; the meaning is unchanPronounced KAYT-lin▶Catlynn#17067 in the U.S.Catlynn respells Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine, which descends from the Greek Aikaterine and is trPronounced KAT-lin▶Caytlyn#17306 in the U.S.Caytlyn is one of the many modern respellings of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine that came to EnglisPronounced KAYT-lin▶Caitlan#17369 in the U.S.Caitlan is a variant of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine, which traces back through the Greek AikaterPronounced KAYT-lin▶Kaitlynne#17493 in the U.S.Kaitlynne is one of the many respellings of Kaitlyn, itself a modern form of the Irish Caitlín — the IrisPronounced KAYT-lin▶Katelyne#17550 in the U.S.Katelyne is a decorative respelling of Katelyn, the American reworking of Irish Caitlin, a pet form of KaPronounced KAYT-lin▶Kaitlyne#18143 in the U.S.Kaitlyne is a final-e spelling of Kaitlyn, the Americanized form of the Irish Caitlin, which is the IrishPronounced KAYT-lin▶Katelan#18177 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Caitlin (also Katelyn) — the Irish form of Katherine, ultimately from the Greek 'kPronounced KAYT-lin▶Kaytlen#18210 in the U.S.Kaytlen is a modern respelling of Caitlin, the Irish form of Catherine. Catherine traces to Greek AikaterPronounced KAYT-lin▶Kaetlin#18511 in the U.S.Kaetlin is a modern respelling of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine, which comes from the Greek 'kathaPronounced KAYT-lin▶Katleen#18734 in the U.S.Katleen is a simplified spelling of Kathleen, itself an Anglicized form of the Irish Caitlin, which goes Pronounced KATH-leen▶Katlynne#18735 in the U.S.Katlynne is one of many modern respellings of Caitlin and Katelyn, the Irish forms of Catherine; through Pronounced KAT-lin▶Kaytlan#18757 in the U.S.Kaytlan is a phonetic respelling of Caitlin or Kaitlyn, the Irish Caitlin being an Irish form of KatherinPronounced KAYT-luhn▶Kathaleen#18982 in the U.S.Kathaleen is a spelling of Kathleen, the anglicized Irish Caitlin, from Catherine, traditionally linked tPronounced kath-uh-LEEN▶Katheleen#18984 in the U.S.Katheleen is a variant spelling of Kathleen, the anglicized Irish form (Caitlín) of Katherine, from the GPronounced kath-uh-LEEN▶Maitlyn#19087 in the U.S.Maitlyn is a modern American respelling in the Caitlin family, swapping the opening to Mai- and the endinPronounced MAYT-lin▶
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Frequently Asked
Which names on this list actually mean 'pure'?
Caitlin, Caitlyn, Kaitlin, Kaitlynn, Katelyn, Katlyn, and Kathleen all descend from Caitlín, meaning pure.