Name meaning & stats
Caitlin
Caitlin means “pure (debated)” (Irish origin). 112,426 US babies since 1940, peak 1988. Notable Caitlins are 2.7× over-represented as footballers.
What it means
“pure (debated)”
IrishForm of Catherine
In US birth records
Peak year: 1988
112,426 US babies were named Caitlin between 1940 and 2025.
Where Caitlins end up
Not enough notable Caitlins yet, so this uses the spelling family: Caitlin, Kaitlyn, Kaitlin, Caitlyn.
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Actor | 1.5× | High · 44 people |
| Footballer | 2.7× | High · 29 people |
| Basketball player | 1.8× | Medium · 17 people |
| Singer | 1.0× | Medium · 12 people |
Among notable women who are footballers, the Caitlin family show up 2.7× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
One more thing…
Caitlin has a surprise career: 2.1×
Spelling family
1 in 4 Kaitlyns spell it Caitlin
- Kaitlyn 39%
- Caitlin 26%
- Kaitlin 14%
- Caitlyn 12%
- Kaitlynn 4%
- Caitlynn 1%
- Kaytlin 1%
- Kaytlyn 1%
- Kaytlynn <1%
- Kaitlan <1%
Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.
Name twins (peaked around 1988)