Cailin
Girl / Boy name · 68 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Cailin: 68 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to both boys and girls, peaking at 7 births in 2010.
Cailin is most often a modern Scottish and Irish variant of Caitlin, which derives from Catherine, ultimately from the Greek *katharos* meaning 'pure'. The name also draws on the Irish word *cailín* (girl), lending it a straightforward, affectionate charm. Notable bearers include American philosopher Cailin O’Connor, known for her work on social norms, and model Cailin Russo. While no prominent places share this exact spelling, the related name Catherine has inspired countless locations worldwide, from St. Catherine’s to the Catherine Islands. A popular alternative to Caitlin, Cailin offers a slightly shorter, more contemporary feel, and its pronunciation—typically KAY-lin—is familiar and easy to spell, making it a steady choice in Scottish registries since the 1990s.
Girl 14 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 20107 babies
- Latest (2011)
- #6744 babies
- Total births
- 65since 1996
- 5-year trend
- ▲ 42%vs prior 5y
Boy 1 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 20153 babies
- Latest (2015)
- #6863 babies
- Total births
- 3since 2015
- 5-year trend
- ≈ stablevs prior 5y