Caitlin Explained

Caitlín
Gender:Feminine
Language origin:Irish
Origin:Catherine
Alternative Spelling:Caitlan, Ceitlin, Kaitlin, Caitlyn, Kathleen, Cathleen, Kaitlyn, Catelin, Catelyn, Caitlynn, Catelynn, Caetlynn, Katelyn, Katelynn, Kaitlynn, et al.

Caitlin (in Irish pronounced as /ˈkatʲlʲiːnʲ/) is a feminine given name of Irish origin. Historically, the Irish name Caitlín was anglicized as Cathleen or Kathleen. In the 1970s, however, non-Irish speakers began pronouncing the name according to English spelling rules as, which led to many variations in spelling such as Caitlin, Ceitlin, Catelynn, Caitlyn, Katlyn, Kaitlin, Kaitlyn, Katelyn and Katelynn.[1] [2] [3]

It is the Irish version of the Old French name Cateline in French pronounced as /katlin/, which comes from Catherine, which in turn comes from the Ancient Greek Αἰκατερίνη (Aikaterine). Catherine is attributed to St. Catherine of Alexandria.[4] Along with the many other variants of Catherine, it is generally believed to mean "pure" because of its long association with the Greek adjective καθαρός katharos (pure), though the name did not evolve from this word.[5]

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Caitlin - Origin and Meaning of the name Caitlin at BabyNames.com. March 4, 2008.
  2. Web site: Irish Names: You say Caitlyn, I say Kaytlynne... . March 4, 2008.
  3. Web site: Origin and Meaning of Caitlin - Baby Girl Name Caitlin. March 4, 2008.
  4. News: Behind the Name: Meaning, Origin and History of the Name Katherine . February 6, 2008.
  5. Book: Hanks, Patrick . Hodges, Flavia . A Dictionary of First Names. Oxford . Oxford University Press. 2006.