Cailyn
About Cailyn
Cailyn is a feminine name of Irish and Gaelic origin, representing a modern anglicized spelling of the traditional Irish name Caoilfhionn, which means 'slender' or 'fair.' It can also be seen as a creative variation of Kaylin or a feminine form of Calen. The name began gaining popularity in the United States during the 1990s and early 2000s, part of the trend toward Irish-inspired names with contemporary spellings. While maintaining its Celtic roots, Cailyn offers a more intuitive spelling for English speakers than the traditional Irish form. The name has a gentle, melodic quality that contributes to its appeal. Cailyn strikes a balance between uniqueness and familiarity, making it recognizable without being overly common.
Pronounced CAY-lin.
As of October 2026, Cailyn ranked #3728 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #723 in 2009.
AI-written. Reviewed by Sophie Kihm
Sources: US popularity data is from the Social Security Administration. Meanings and origins are from Nameberry's name references.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #1,328 | 178 | 99.6 |
| 2015 | #1,337 | 177 | 99.2 |
| 2016 | #1,818 | 114 | 64.3 |
| 2017 | #2,185 | 87 | 50.4 |
| 2018 | #2,587 | 67 | 39.4 |
| 2019 | #2,513 | 70 | 41.7 |
| 2020 | #2,473 | 70 | 43.3 |
| 2021 | #3,009 | 55 | 33.5 |
| 2022 | #2,662 | 65 | 39.6 |
| 2023 | #3,101 | 53 | 33 |
| 2024 | #3,278 | 48 | 29.6 |
| 2025 | #3,728 | 40 | 24.9 |
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