Declining since 2000, #799 for girls today.
Popularity of Kaitlyn since 1971
Babies named Kaitlyn per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 76 |
| 1980s | 10,890 |
| 1990s | 67,567 |
| 2000s | 66,909 |
| 2010s | 18,357 |
| 2020s | 2,890 |
Meaning & origin
Kaitlyn is a modern phonetic spelling of the classic Irish name Caitlin. First recorded in U.S. data in 1971, it surged in popularity throughout the 1980s and 1990s, reaching its peak in 2000 when it was at rank 14. Since then, its use has steadily declined; the trajectory shows a clear falling trend from 2000 onward. In 2025 it ranked 799 with a 1-in-4,727 incidence. The name's creative spelling, with a K beginning and the 'lyn' ending, reflects a broader late-20th-century American naming trend for distinctive variations of traditional names. Top states for Kaitlyn include Idaho, Mississippi, and New Jersey, suggesting a spread across different regions. Kaitlyn remains a feminine name with a familiar sound, though parents today often prefer the original Caitlin or other modern coinages.
Kaitlyn is a modern spelling variant of Caitlin, the Irish form of Catherine. Catherine ultimately derives from the Greek name Aikaterine, whose meaning is debated; it has long been associated with the Greek word katharos, meaning 'pure'. The name was popularized in Ireland via Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The 'K' spelling rose in the United States in the late 20th century, reflecting a trend toward phonetic and distinctive spellings.
Where Kaitlyn 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, Lyn
Sibling names for Kaitlyn
Names that share Kaitlyn's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Brianna, Alyssa, Megan, Erin, Lauren, Alyson, Angie, Ashlynn, Breanna, Brittney, Kailey, Meagan, Mikayla, Rylee, Amberly, Ashli, Ashly, Breann, Breanne, Brienna, Caleigh, Camryn, Carleigh, Carley, Carlie, Ciera, Hailee, Hailie, Haleigh, Harleen, Haylie, Jaimee, Jessi, Jordin, Jordynn, Joselyn, Kamille, Karissa, Karlee, Karli, Kaylin, Kaylyn, Kaylynn, Kiersten, Kilee, Kristan, Kristyn, Krystle, Kyrsten, Loryn, Maegan, Makenzie, Meaghan, Mikaela, Natalee, Nikole, Shyanne, Tayler, Aaniyah, Abrianna, Alexsis, Allisa, Allysa, Angelyn, Annaleigh, Annalyn, Arrianna, Ashlin, Ashlynne, Breelyn, Brieanna, Britni, Cailee, Cameryn, Cayleigh, Chassidy, Chyanne, Ciarra, Darlyn, Daylin, Haileigh, Jadelyn, Jaedyn, Jasmyne, Jaymi, Jenica, Jeslyn, Jessalyn, Jesslyn, Josalyn, Karalyn, Karena, Karlyn, Kierstin, Kierstyn, Krislyn, Krysten, Kyley, Kylynn, Makyla, Mekayla, Mikaila, Mykayla, Myriah, Raeanna, Rayann, Raylynn, Robynn, Shaelyn, Taylar, Taylin, Taylynn, Teryn, Abbygayle, Ailee, Ailen, Aleasha, Aleysha, Alicyn, Alisyn, Allicia, Analyn, Ashle, Ashlyne, Bethaney, Brandalyn, Brelyn, Brieanne, Brihanna, Brithany, Brittainy, Bryanne, Calynn, Chrislynn, Chrysta, Deseray, Devany, Dilyn, Edlyn, Haliegh, Haylea, Haylei, Jackalyn, Jadalyn, Jaimi, Jamielynn, Jamilyn, Jaslin, Jazlyne, Jehilyn, Jenasis, Jenay, Jennalyn, Jesselyn, Jessilyn, Jilian, Jolin, Jolissa, Josalynn, Joycelynn, Joylyn, Kaileah, Kalyssa, Karalynn, Karys, Kassaundra, Kassondra, Kaylana, Kayleena, Kayloni, Kaytee, Kearsten, Kearstin, Keilly, Kellianne, Kelyn, Kendalynn, Kerriann, Kerstyn, Kirstan, Korrin, Kourtni, Krysti, Krystyn, Laurynn, Leighanna, Lynzie, Maddalyn, Maddisyn, Madylin, Maeghan, Maghan, Makenzee, Makynna, Marelyn, Marlenne, Matilyn, Mattilyn, Meagen, Megen, Mehgan, Mellany, Mykaila, Natalynn, Raeleen, Saralynn, Shaelee, Shailey, Shailyn, Sharayah, Shayleen, Shaylene, Sherly, Sierrah, Tailynn, Tamryn, Terin, Alannis, Aliscia, Allanna, Alyssamarie, Analyssa, Ashleyann, Ashleymarie, Breeanne, Brilynn, Brittiney, Brookelynne, Bryttani, Caralynn, Christalyn, Christyana, Courtlyn, Deziree, Eilyn, Elainna, Haille, Haillie, Halleigh, Haylynn, Jacquilyn, Jaeleen, Jakelyn, Jaklyn, Janellie, Jaquelynn, Jasamine, Jazalynn, Jazlynne, Jenalyn, Jenin, Jennae, Jericha, Jermia, Jesalyn, Jilliann, Jillianne, Joanny, Jordynne, Josilynn, Jossalyn, Jyllian, Kaitland, Kaliann, Karmin, Karrina, Kashlyn, Kassidee, Kayelyn, Kaylianna, Keirstyn, Kelie, Kelleigh, Kely, Koralyn, Kortlyn, Krissi, Kristinia, Kyrstyn, Leighana, Madilyne, Maigan, Makalyn, Makaylie, Makaylyn, Mandalyn, Mattalyn, Meagon, Meghin, Mickala, Mikalyn, Mikaylee, Mikeala, Nykole, Rachyl, Raeana, Rayvin, Ryenn, Scottlynn, Shanan, Shannyn, Shauni, Shayanna, Shaylynn, Taiylor, Teighlor, Ellysa, Erilyn, Jezlyn, Kaylaann, Mylynn, Toriann, Aarilyn, Aariona, Abreanna, Andalyn, Annalynne, Arleny, Ashelyn, Audryanna, Bethannie, Braylinn, Breawna, Breean, Briahnna, Brittlyn, Bryanah, Bryannah, Carleena, Carlynn, Chelsei, Cheyeanne, Danilyn, Danniell, Deannah, Devanee, Devann, Emilynn, Erynne, Haeleigh, Haydyn, Jackalynn, Jackelynn, Jacklyne, Jaline, Jalyne, Jaslynne, Jenilyn, Jennesis, Jennessy, Jessikah, Jessilynn, Jessly, Jillianna, Jillyan, Joclynn, Josalin, Joscelynn, Joselynne, Joslynne, Jozelynn, Kamaryn, Karynn, Kaylenn, Kayline, Keamber, Keirstan, Khrystal, Kimberlly, Kimley, Korynne, Kristalyn, Kristeena, Kurstyn, Kyleigha, Kyndahl, Kyndell, Lauralynn, Leahanna, Lorynn, Lynnsie, Mackena, Madylyn, Maghen, Maigen, Makailyn, Makaley, Makaylen, Makayli, Makylie, Matelyn, Mckynna, Meghen, Megon, Mekaela, Michalla, Milyn, Nickcole, Nikkol, Nikyla, Raylynne, Samanthan, Shaely, Shaunee, Sheyann, Taryne, Terralyn, Tierany
Brothers: Ryan, Sean, Kevin, Justin, Brandon, Aidan, Brenden, Conner, Darren, Dillon, Aydan, Braeden, Braiden, Brenton, Collin, Colten, Darian, Dillan, Donnell, Garren, Jacoby, Jarett, Jaylan, Mykel, Tristian, Xzavier, Bradon, Brandin, Brendyn, Darrian, Dillion, Gaven, Jaidan, Jaret, Jarid, Jarren, Javin, Jaysen, Jessiah, Juston, Khristian, Klayton, Shayden, Bradin, Braedan, Briant, Collyn, Darik, Donaven, Duston, Garen, Gerren, Jacion, Jarrid, Jarrin, Jerren, Jerrin, Joshuwa, Karston, Katrell, Keenen, Keithan, Keithen, Krystopher, Nickalas, Seanmichael, Shaughn, Shaune, Shawne, Yostin, Zackory, Alanmichael, Bricen, Cevin, Chawn, Cristan, Dairon, Dalin, Dallyn, Jaaron, Jassen, Jasyn, Jaysiah, Jerrion, Jonan, Jonovan, Kailen, Kalieb, Kaynen, Kristain, Maycol, Nickalaus, Seanpaul, Shonn, Tevyn, Damyon, Kristion, Ryun, Shanen, Braedin, Braidan, Calvyn, Daemyn, Daleon, Devinn, Dyllin, Eryck, Jakylan, Jaqualyn, Jasun, Jaythen, Jheremy, Jonavan, Jonaven, Jonavon, Jsiah, Kaimen, Kastin, Kayren, Kden, Konnar, Mycheal
Names like Kaitlyn
Names whose popularity has moved with Kaitlyn's over the last 50 years.
