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Caolan

Boy name · 71 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Caolan: 71 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 8 births in 2014.

Caolan is an Irish and Scottish Gaelic name, anglicised from *Caolán*, a diminutive of *caol* meaning "slender" or "narrow." It has strong roots in early Irish history, borne by several early saints, most notably Saint Caolán of Kilcoole, a 6th-century missionary associated with County Wicklow. The name also appears in the form *Cailean*, which in Scotland is linked to the Clan Maclean, where it was anglicised as Colin. You might recognise the place name Keil in Argyll, which shares the same root. A modern variant, Kaylan, has grown in use across the UK, though Caolan remains the traditional spelling, particularly popular in Northern Ireland and the Scottish islands.