Given name
Kaitlin
“one who is pure; virginal”
Kaitlin is a variant of Katherine. In Greek use, Katherine carries the interpretation “one who is pure; virginal.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Kaitlin is a variant of Katherine. In Greek use, Katherine carries the interpretation “one who is pure; virginal.”
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1971. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. Kaitlin is a variant 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.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Kaitlin through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 57,430
- 75 boys · 57,355 girls
- Most popular year
- 1995
- 3,612 babies
- 2025
- 35
- #4,114 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −53%
- Cooling
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 35 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 4,114 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 52.8% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 3,602 in 1995. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (6). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 51,533 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Kaitlin’s family of names
Kaitlin has a related form in Katherine. In English usage, Kaitlin has a related form in Caitlin.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 4
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
People named Kaitlin
- Kaitlin OlsonAmerican actressborn 1975
- Kaitlin DoubledayAmerican actressborn 1984
- Kaitlin SandenoAmerican swimmer, Olympic gold medalist, world champion, former world record-holderborn 1983
- Kaitlin QuevedoSpanish tennis playerborn 2006
- Kaitlin HawayekAmerican ice dancerborn 1996
- Kaitlin VilasusoAmerican actress and podcast hostborn 1986
- Kaitlin NobbsAustralian field hockey player (1997-)
- Kaitlin KeoughAmerican professional racing cyclistborn 1992
- Kaitlin CullumAmerican actressborn 1986
Characters named Kaitlin: Kaitlin Cooper (fictional character on television show The O.C.).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Kaitlin, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Katelyn
“one who is pure; virginal”
>99% girls
Caitlyn
“one who is pure; virginal”
>99% girls
Kaitlyn
“one who is pure; virginal”
>99% girls
Caoilinn
Caoilinn is a feminine given name from Irish.
>99% girls
Casady
Casady is a surname from Irish.
>99% girls
Kara
“one who is pure” · “dearly loved”
>99% girls
Eilish
Eilish is a feminine given name from Irish.
>99% girls
Kiana
“from an ancient family” · “of an ancient family”
>99% girls