Names to Substitute for Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn was one of the trendiest baby names for girls over the past few decades, and one of the most defining names for girls born at the end of the Millennial generation and the beginning of Generation Z. Yes, Kaitlyn is college-aged, so if you’re at all concerned about hipness, you may be looking for an alternative.
While Kaitlyn was the most popular spelling, it was far from the only one. Girls born at the turn of the millennium spelled their name Caitlin, Caitlyn, Katelyn, Kaitlynn, Kaytlin, Kaetlyn, and more!
Along with current favorites Avery and Kailani, other names to substitute for Kaitlyn in the US Top 1000 include Aubrey, Brynn, Catalina, Finley, Kate, Kennedy, Lennon, and Teagan. If Kaitlyn’s Irish roots are a draw for you, consider another Irish name such as Caoimhe, Fallon, Maeve, or Sheridan.
Kaitlyn is on the fast track toward mom name status and is falling fast for babies. If you like Kaitlyn but want a more contemporary alternative, search our lineup of names to substitute for Kaitlyn below.
While Kaitlyn was the most popular spelling, it was far from the only one. Girls born at the turn of the millennium spelled their name Caitlin, Caitlyn, Katelyn, Kaitlynn, Kaytlin, Kaetlyn, and more!
Along with current favorites Avery and Kailani, other names to substitute for Kaitlyn in the US Top 1000 include Aubrey, Brynn, Catalina, Finley, Kate, Kennedy, Lennon, and Teagan. If Kaitlyn’s Irish roots are a draw for you, consider another Irish name such as Caoimhe, Fallon, Maeve, or Sheridan.
Kaitlyn is on the fast track toward mom name status and is falling fast for babies. If you like Kaitlyn but want a more contemporary alternative, search our lineup of names to substitute for Kaitlyn below.
Maeve
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"she who intoxicates"Description:
Maeve appears in Irish mythology in two forms, one as the powerful Queen of Connacht, the other as the queen of the fairies. Maeve of Connacht was a warrior queen, famous for starting a war in attempt to steal her ex-husband’s stud bull. Other spellings are Meabh, Medb and Meadhbh, which are connected to mead, a honey-based wine that was produced in many ancient cultures.
Adeline
Origin:
French, diminutive of AdeleMeaning:
"noble, nobility"Description:
Adeline originated as a French diminutive of Adele, which came from the Germanic root adal, meaning "noble." Adeline was introduced to England by the Normans in the eleventh century, was very common during the Middle Ages, then vanished until the Victorian Gothic revival. Common variants of Adeline include Adalynn, Adalyn, Adelyn, Adelynn, Adelina, and Adaline.
Kaia
Origin:
Latin, Scandinavian, or HawaiianMeaning:
"to rejoice or sea"Description:
The new Maia, the next Kayla, Kaia has been on the charts since the year 2000. You might see it as a female form of the also-rising Kai, which means sea in Hawaiian and is sometimes used for girls as well, or as a Kardashianization of the ancient goddess name Caia.
Quinn
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendent of Conn"Description:
Quinn is the Anglicized version of the Irish patronymic surname Ó Cuinn, meaning "descendent of Conn." Conn has two possible derivations—the Old Irish cond, meaning "intellect," or cenn, meaning "chief." One of the most notable Quinn clans was from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland.
Avery
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"ruler of the elves"Description:
Avery originated in the Middle Ages as a Norman-French pronunciation variation of the Anglo-Saxon name Alfred and the Ancient Germanic name Alberich. The elements aelf, meaning "elf" and ric, meaning "ruler" give Avery its meaning. While Avery is considered by many to be a surname name, it was a given name first. It was used as a patronymic surname when England began to require last names.
Scarlett
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"scarlet, red"Description:
Scarlett originated as an occupation surname, designating a person who sold scarlet, a luxury wool cloth produced in Medieval Europe. The word is thought to derive from the Arabic siklāt, referring to silks dyed with kermes. The fanciest, favorited color was scarlet red.
Saoirse
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"liberty"Description:
Saoirse originated as a baby name in 1920s Ireland as an applied use of saoirse, the Gaelic word for "freedom." The name was first adopted during the Irish War of Independence, when the Irish Republican Army fought the British Army for the liberation of Ireland from British rule. In modern times, Saoirse, as well as a host of other Gaelic names, are being revived in Ireland, the UK, and the US.
Everly
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"wild boar in woodland clearing"Description:
Everly originated as a toponymic surname derived from the Old English roots eofor, meaning "boar," and leah, "clearing." It is related to the Germanic name Eberhard, meaning "brave as a wild boar," from which popular name Everett also derived. Wild boars represented strength and courage to ancient Germanic peoples, who often took on names with animal meanings.
Emmeline
Origin:
Old French form of archaic German AmalMeaning:
"work"Description:
Emmeline is an Emma relative and Emily cousin that is destined for greater use in the wake of the megapopularity of those two names. A recommended Nameberry fave, Emmeline hopped onto the US Top 1000 in 2014 for the first time ever. While it is genuinely an old name, it was rarely used a century ago; only 17 baby girls were named Emmeline in 1915, the same number as were named Ernie!
Rowan
Origin:
Scottish and IrishMeaning:
"rowan tree; little redhead"Description:
Rowan is the name of a tree with red berries that's commonly found in Scotland (and said to ward off witches). Some scholars say this name has been used for girls as well as boys since the Middle Ages, though no Rowans are found outside literature until modern times. It's also a genial Irish surname choice, especially for a redhead – girl or boy.
Caoimhe
Origin:
Irish, ScottishMeaning:
"beautiful"Description:
Caoimhe, pronounced (more properly) kwee-va or kee-va, is a pretty and distinctive Gaelic name but one that could well lead to no end of confusion outside the Irish community. Even in its native habitat, it is sometimes spelled Keeva.
Hadley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"heather field"Description:
Hadley, most famous as the name of Ernest Hemingway's first wife, is more sophisticated, professional, and modern than cousins Harley, Haley, or Hayden. The hit book The Paris Wife, a novel told from the point of view of Hadley Hemingway (born Elizabeth Hadley Richardson), has helped popularize the name, which also appears on the vampire show True Blood. Hadley could become this generation's Hailey.
Vivian
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"life"Description:
Vivian, once an elderly lady name, is on the rise, along with all form of girl names that mean life -- from Zoe to Eva to those who share the vivid Viv syllable.
Avalon
Origin:
CelticMeaning:
"island of apples"Description:
Avalon, an island paradise of Celtic myth and Arthurian legend--it was where King Arthur was taken to recover from his wounds-- and also the colorful capital of the California island of Catalina-- makes a heavenly first name. Actress Rena Sofer and British musician Julian Cope used it for their daughters.
Delaney
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"dark challenger"Description:
Delaney has been a popular Irish surname name for a couple of decades, projecting buoyant enthusiasm plus a feminine feel.
Lennon
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"lover"Description:
A growing number of high-profile (and other) parents are choosing to honor their musical idols, such as Hendrix, Presley, Jagger, and now Lennon, an Irish name for girls as well as boys with a wonderful meaning on many levels. Lennon first came to notice when Liam Gallagher and Patsy Kensit used it for their son in 1999, and singer-musician Adam Pascal followed their lead two years later.
Emerson
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"son of Emery"Description:
The combination of Emily and Emma's popularity -- and the fact that Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher's daughter is named Emerson -- have put this formerly strictly boys’ name, embodying the gravitas of Ralph Waldo Emerson, in the limelight for girls.
Brynn
Origin:
Spelling variation of Bryn, WelshMeaning:
"hill"Description:
Brynn outshines the original Welsh Bryn in the popularity stakes. This simple, brisk name might be seen as a combination of Bree and Lynn, an androgynous-sounding choice that especially in this spelling is not truly unisex: Brynn, for boys, is not even in the Top 1000. Other variations trendy now include Brynna, Brynnan, and Brynnley spelled many different ways.
Kinsley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"king's meadow"Description:
Kinsley, a name that straddles the line between cute and classy, continues to rise in popularity and is now one of the top girls' names starting with K. Kinsey is the name of the heroine of Sue Grafton's alphabet mysteries and Tinsley gives the name a high society spin.
Finley
Origin:
Irish and ScottishMeaning:
"fair-haired hero"Description:
This was a 100 percent boys’ name until celebs Jason Sehorn and Angie Harmon bestowed it on their daughter, recently followed by Lisa Marie Presley, who used it for one of her (female) twins. Finlay is also now among the most popular unisex names.