Given name
Caitlín
“one who is pure; virginal”
Caitlín is a form of Katherine. In Greek use, Katherine carries the interpretation “one who is pure; virginal.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Caitlín is a form of Katherine. In Greek use, Katherine carries the interpretation “one who is pure; virginal.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Old French.
How it developed
In Irish usage, Caitlín is a diminutive of Caitríona.
The story
Caitlín is a form of Katherine. The history of Katherine gives this family its wider story. Katherine’s historical associations include Catherine de’ Medici, wife of King Henry II and regent.
Explained through its name family
Caitlín’s family of names
In Irish usage, Caitlín is a diminutive of Caitríona. Caitlín shares a linguistic root with Katherine. In Irish usage, Caitlín has a conventional equivalent in the French form Catherine.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Caitlín has relatives in 4 languages. Lines run from its Old French roots to each of them.
4 related names in 4 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 4
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
See also 1
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Caitlín
- Caitlín R. Kiernanwriterborn 1964
- Caitlín MaudeIrish poet, actor and singer (1941–1982)
- Caitlín BrughaIrish politician (1879-1959)
- Caitlín Ní ThoirbheirdGaelic League activist1891–1969
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Caitlín, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Caitrín
“one who is pure; virginal”
>99% girls
Kara
“one who is pure” · “dearly loved”
>99% girls
Catalina
“one who is pure; virginal”
>99% girls
Sun King
Sun King is a given name from French.
—
Childéric
“battle” · “king”
—
Latoya
“one who is victorious”
>99% girls
Sigourney
“a woman who conquers” · “a daring queen”
>99% girls
Damita
“the little princess”
>99% girls