Cailin
Below 5 births
2025 SSA
About Cailin
Cailin is an Irish name with Gaelic origins, traditionally used for girls but occasionally given to boys. It means 'slender' or 'pure' and is derived from the Gaelic word 'caol,' referring to something slim or narrow. As a masculine name, Cailin is quite rare and unconventional. The name carries a melodic quality with its soft sounds, making it appealing across genders. In Irish tradition, pronunciation is typically 'KAY-lin' or 'KY-lin.' While gaining some recognition internationally, Cailin remains strongly connected to Irish heritage and culture, representing a bridge between traditional naming practices and modern gender-fluid naming trends.
Cailin for girls#12153 US
While the Cailin spelling doesn't appear on popularity charts, other forms such as Kaylin and Kaylen do, along with several similar names, from Caitlin to Jalen to Kayla. The result: a name that feels more common than it actually is.
Pronounced KAY-lin.
As of October 2026, Cailin ranked #12763 in US births in 2009 SSA, peaked at #7670 in 1998.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #2,849 | 60 | 33.6 |
| 2015 | #3,260 | 50 | 28 |
| 2016 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | #4,714 | 29 | 16.8 |
| 2018 | #4,251 | 33 | 19.4 |
| 2019 | #4,674 | 29 | 17.3 |
| 2020 | #3,557 | 42 | 26 |
| 2021 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | 0 |
Similar names
These 40 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Cailin.
Similar boy names
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Cailin on lists
Famous Cailins
- Cailin RussoGirl
model and daughter of American musician Scott Russo of band Unwritten Law
Cailin in pop culture
- "Cailin Og a StorGirl
" Irish folksong
- CailinGirl
a variation of Colleen, the Irish word for "girl"