Catelyn
Catelyn was not among the names given to 5 or more girls in 2025. Its best year was 2000, when it ranked 1873rd; the most babies were born in 2006 (108). More babies were named Catelyn in the 2000s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Katelyn) variant of Caitlin (Catherine) · Irish, Greek
- Rank in 2025
- Not rankedgirls
- Babies in 2025
- 0girls
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a girl’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 2006108 babies
- Total since 1880
- 2,294babies recorded
What does the name Catelyn mean?
Catelyn is a spelling of Katelyn, pronounced the same way, so it shares Katelyn's meaning and origin.
Katelyn is an American spelling of Caitlin, as Wiktionary notes. Caitlín is the Irish form of Catherine, taken from the Norman French form Cateline. Catherine comes from Greek Aikaterinē, the name of the early martyr Saint Catherine of Alexandria; its origin is unknown, and the familiar link to Greek katharos 'pure' is a later reinterpretation that changed the spelling to Katharina. Katelyn became popular in the 1990s with other -lyn names.
Caitlín (Irish, “Catherine”)Αἰκατερίνη (Aikaterinē) (Ancient Greek, “Catherine (origin unknown)”)
How sure is this? Probable. Katelyn is clearly a form of Caitlin; the meaning of Catherine is unknown.
Other explanations you may read: Catherine means 'pure' (Greek katharos).
Related names: Caitlin, Kaitlyn, Catherine, Kate.
See also: Irish names.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Katelyn', Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0; facts restated, no text reused)
- Wiktionary, entry 'Caitlin', Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0; facts restated, no text reused)
- Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, ed. S. L. Uckelman, Edition 2023 no. 1, s.v. 'Katherine', DMNES (Durham University)
Catelyn popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (girls) | Babies (girls) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2020 | #8,067 | 13 |
| 2010 | #2,124 | 93 |
| 2000 | #1,873 | 91 |
| 1990 | #2,409 | 51 |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
How popular is Catelyn, counting every spelling?
Catelyn is a spelling of Katelyn, a name family that ranked #884 for girls in 2025 once every spelling is counted together. Together these spellings went to 288 girls in 2025.
| Spelling | Babies 2025 | Official rank | Babies 2021–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katelyn | 225 | #1,077 | 1,511 |
| Katelynn | 63 | #2,736 | 387 |
| Catelyn | — | — | 27 |
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How old are people named Catelyn?
About 2,300 people born in the US named Catelyn are alive today, with a median age of 23; half are between 17 and 30. That makes Catelyn mostly worn by children and young adults.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Catelyn: their share of US girls followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Catelyn, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Catelyn
What does Catelyn mean?
Catelyn is a spelling of Katelyn, which means “variant of Caitlin (Catherine)” (Irish, Greek origin). Certainty: probable.
How popular is the name Catelyn?
Catelyn was not among the names given to 5 or more girls in 2025. Its best year was 2000, when it ranked 1873rd; the most babies were born in 2006 (108). More babies were named Catelyn in the 2000s than in any other decade.
Is Catelyn a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a girl’s name given the name Catelyn in the US.