Meaning & Story
An Irish Gaelic name meaning 'pure' — the anglicized form of Caitlín, a variant of Catherine, beloved for generations.
Kaitlyn is the most popular American spelling of the Irish classic Caitlín, itself a form of the ancient Greek Catherine meaning 'pure.' The name had a remarkable run of popularity in the 1990s and 2000s, carried by an entire generation who gave it a warm, spirited association. Female pets named Kaitlyn tend to have all the friendly, outgoing energy that the name accumulated over those decades of popularity. It's a name that feels both current and comfortable, like a favorite sweater. Consistently lovely.