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Caitlyn

Girl name · 1,189 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Caitlyn: 1,189 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 95 births in 1998.

Caitlyn is a modern English variant of Caitlin, which itself derives from the Irish Gaelic name Caitlín, an Irish form of the Old French name Cateline, ultimately from the Greek Aikaterinē, meaning "pure." The name gained widespread popularity in the late 20th century, particularly through Caitlyn Jenner, the Olympic gold medalist and reality television star whose 2015 name change brought the spelling into the global spotlight. Another notable bearer is Caitlyn Smith, the American singer-songwriter known for her powerful vocals. The name shares its etymological root with the Scottish town of Catterline in Aberdeenshire, though this connection is coincidental rather than direct. The spelling Caitlyn emerged as a distinct variant in the 1970s, offering a modern twist on the traditional Caitlin while maintaining the same lyrical sound.