Caitriona
A girl's name of Irish origin with 261 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Caitriona reads as a modern invention — a name that emerged in the 1980s and was likely coined by parents looking for something fresh rather than inherited.
The open, warm quality of its ending — a soft ending that crosses many language boundaries — gives it a distinctive rhythm that pairs well with shorter middle names or surnames.
In the most recent SSA release, Caitriona ranks #12364 among U.S. girl names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Caitriona is a girl's baby name of Irish origin, the traditional Irish Gaelic form of Catherine meaning 'pure' or 'clear,' from the Greek Katharos. It is pronounced approximately "kah-TREE-na."
Caitriona is one of the most authentically Irish forms of Catherine, beloved in Ireland for centuries. Scottish actress Caitríona Balfe — best known as Claire Fraser in Outlander — has brought this traditional spelling to international attention, making it a name that feels both classically Celtic and powerfully modern.
EtymologyShow more
Caitriona appeared in SSA records in 1987, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its Irish roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 261 recorded births, Caitriona has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Caitriona was #9364 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #12364, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 23 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 67 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 97 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 66 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 8 | — |
The Story of Caitriona
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2018, Caitriona is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Caitriona are most likely born between 2008 and 2024.
How rare is Caitriona?
Only about 1 in every 514,286 babies born in 2024 was named Caitriona — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1987, peaked in the 2000s with 97 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Caitriona by the numbers
- Would fill 5 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(27 years, 1987–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | #12364 |
| 2022 | 11 | #9159 |
| 2021 | 5 | #15688 |
| 2019 | 10 | #9868 |
| 2018 | 17 | #6852 |
| 2017 | 9 | #10852 |
| 2016 | 5 | #16718 |
| 2015 | 11 | #9593 |
| 2013 | 9 | #11186 |
| 2012 | 6 | #15319 |
| 2008 | 5 | #18033 |
| 2007 | 8 | #12890 |
| 2006 | 10 | #10734 |
| 2005 | 12 | #9001 |
| 2004 | 11 | #9364 |
| 2003 | 16 | #6940 |
| 2002 | 10 | #9614 |
| 2001 | 10 | #9486 |
| 2000 | 15 | #6864 |
| 1999 | 16 | #6240 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Caitriona a boy's or girl's name?
When was Caitriona most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1987–2024