Declining since 1999, #2,719 for girls today.
Popularity of Katelynn since 1979
Babies named Katelynn per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 1,624 |
| 1990s | 11,306 |
| 2000s | 12,199 |
| 2010s | 5,013 |
| 2020s | 533 |
Meaning & origin
Katelynn is a modern American spelling of the classic Irish name Caitlin. First recorded in the United States in 1979, it became especially popular in the 1990s, peaking in 1998. Since 1999, its usage has been falling. In 2025, it ranked 2719th and occurred in about 1 in 25,512 births. The name was most common in Missouri, Texas, and Florida. The proliferation of spelling variants like Kaitlynn and Katelyn reflects broader naming trends favoring unique forms, but Katelynn remains a familiar and straightforward choice for parents seeking a feminine name with Irish roots.
Katelynn is a modern American respelling of Caitlin, the Irish form of Catherine, which derives from the Greek Aikaterine. The name has been used in Ireland since the Middle Ages, and its spelling variations exploded in the United States during the late 20th century. The 'lyn' suffix was likely influenced by names like Lynn and popular rhyming trends.
Where Katelynn 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: Kate, Katie, Lynn
Sibling names for Katelynn
Names that share Katelynn's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Katelynn
Names whose popularity has moved with Katelynn's over the last 50 years.
