Declining since 1999, #3,645 for girls today.
Popularity of Kaitlynn since 1982
Babies named Kaitlynn per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 609 |
| 1990s | 6,280 |
| 2000s | 6,598 |
| 2010s | 2,587 |
| 2020s | 345 |
Meaning & origin
Kaitlynn is a modern American respelling of Caitlín, the Irish form of Catherine. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1982 and saw a sharp rise in popularity through the 1990s, peaking at rank 3645 in 1999. Since then, its usage has declined, though it remains in use: in 2025, it ranked 3645th, with about 1 in 39,202 girls receiving the name. The variant spelling 'Kaitlynn' was most common in Arizona, where it had the highest relative popularity. Like other respelled names of its era, it reflects a trend toward distinctive, personalized spellings of classic names.
Kaitlynn is a modern American respelling of Caitlín, the Irish Gaelic form of Catherine, which ultimately derives from the Greek name Aikaterinē. The spelling with 'y' and double 'n' became popular in the United States in the late 20th century as part of a trend of individualized spellings of traditional names. The name shares the meaning 'pure' attributed to Catherine, though the exact etymology of Aikaterinē is debated.
Where Kaitlynn 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, Lynn
Sibling names for Kaitlynn
Names that share Kaitlynn's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Kaitlynn
Names whose popularity has moved with Kaitlynn's over the last 50 years.
