Declining since 1995, #4,067 for girls today.
Popularity of Kaitlin since 1971
Babies named Kaitlin per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 166 |
| 1980s | 12,460 |
| 1990s | 30,820 |
| 2000s | 11,650 |
| 2010s | 2,058 |
| 2020s | 201 |
Meaning & origin
Kaitlin first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1971, and its popularity surged through the 1980s and 1990s, peaking at rank 4,067 in 1995. Since then, it has been in steady decline, with only 1 in 45,922 newborns receiving the name in 2025. The name is especially common in Texas. While often spelled in various ways, Kaitlin remains a recognizable and enduring variant of the classic Katherine.
Kaitlin is a modern Irish variant of Caitlin, itself derived from the Old French form of Catherine. Catherine ultimately comes from the Greek Aikaterine, which was associated with katharos, meaning 'pure'. The spelling Kaitlin emerged as a phonetic English variant in the late 20th century, particularly popular in the United States.
Where Kaitlin is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kait, Katie, Kate
Sibling names for Kaitlin
Names that share Kaitlin's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Kaitlin
Names whose popularity has moved with Kaitlin's over the last 50 years.
