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Cataleya

Girl name · 7 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Cataleya: 7 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 4 births in 2025.

Cataleya is a modern floral name, invented as a variant of the orchid genus Cattleya, which was named in honour of English botanist William Cattley in the early 19th century. The genus name itself derives from the Greek *kattalys* meaning “to break down,” though the name is now primarily associated with the exotic, vibrant flower. The name entered popular consciousness largely through the 2011 action film *Colombiana*, where the heroine Cataleya Restrepo (played by Zoe Saldana) is a fierce assassin named after the orchid. While no major places share the exact spelling, the related orchid is the national flower of Colombia (the *Cattleya trianae*), giving the name a subtle Latin American connection. Cataleya remains a rare but rising choice in Scotland, offering a distinctive, melodious alternative to more common floral names like Lily or Rose.