Caitlin

Caitlin is the unaccented form of Irish Caitlín, which belongs to the Catherine name family. Catherine has long been associated with the Greek word for pure, but its earliest derivation remains uncertain. Caitlín reached Irish through medieval forms of the same name, giving it a history distinct from the many later English spellings inspired by its sound.

Traditional Irish pronunciation differs from the KATE-lin pronunciation familiar in much English-language use. Both the family’s language and preferred spoken form therefore matter when choosing the name. Caitlin Thomas, the writer and wife of Dylan Thomas, is a notable bearer of the spelling. Cait offers a compact shorter form, while Caitlyn and Kaitlin show how the name has been adapted within English naming.