Caitlin is a classic baby girl name with an infusion of Irish charm. With the same roots as names like Katie and Cathleen, this name possesses a simplicity and balance that makes it popular in all forms of media. Caitlin Snow is a character in the DC Comics universe, and Caitlin “Cate” Todd is a character on television's NCIS. Keep reading to learn more about this baby name.
Meaning of the name Caitlin:
Greek: Pure
Origin of the name Caitlin:
Caitlin is an anglicized version of the name Irish Caitlín or the Old French name Cateline. These names ultimately derive from the Greek word katharos (meaning “pure”).
Symbolism of the name Caitlin:
Caitlin is an Irish version of the name Katherine. The name arrived in Ireland through the earlier French version known as Cateline. In Gaelic Irish, the original pronunciation is cotch-leen. Literary scholars believe that legends associated with the French and Irish spellings provided the primary source for The Countess Cathleen. In this legend, a wealthy peer sells her soul to the devil in exchange for food for the starving. But when the devil arrives to collect payment upon her death, God intercedes and sends Caitlin straight to heaven. The symbol for Caitlin is the redeemed soul.
Style of the name Caitlin:
Classic
Gender of the name Caitlin:
Caitlin is a girl's name.
Pronunciation of the name Caitlin:
KAYT-lin
Number of syllables in the name Caitlin:
Two
Emotion evoked from the name Caitlin:
The name Caitlin evokes feelings of calm and contentment.
Alternative spellings for the name Caitlin:
Nicknames for the name Caitlin:
- Cait
- Cate
- Catie
- Lin
Popularity of the name Caitlin:
According to the Social Security Administration index, Caitlin was the 609th most popular baby name for girls in 2015.
Related names for the name Caitlin:
Great middle names for Caitlin and their meanings:
- Amar (immortal, grace, bitter)
- Blanca (white)
- Dawn (daybreak)
- Elise (my God is an oath)
- Joanne (God is gracious)
- Liv (life, protection, olive tree)
- Mia (beloved, dear, star of the sea)
- Primrose (first rose)
- Riley (rye clearing)
- Winona (firstborn daughter)
Famous people with the name Caitlin:
- Caitlin “Cait” Brennan (singer)
- Caitlin Elizabeth Carmichael (actress)
- Caitlin Anne Clarke (singer)
- Caitlin Jade Foord (soccer player)
- Caitlin Tiffany Glass (voice actress)
- Caitlín Rebekah Kiernan (novelist)
- Caitlin Willow Meyer (daughter of actor Breckin Erin Meyer)
- Caitlín “Cait” O'Riordan (musician)
- Caitlin Jean Stasey (actress)
- Caitlin Marie Waltrip (daughter of NASCAR champion Michael Waltrip)
Caitlin in popular culture:
- Caitlin Ryan (character in Degrassi: The Next Generation)
- Caitlin Snow (character in the DC Comics universe)
- Caitlin “Cate” Todd (character on NCIS)