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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Caitlin, kaitlyn or katelyn?

147 replies

Sophcas7 · 27/05/2025 12:28

Im due soon and still struggling on picking a girls name, I think the spelling Caitlin looks very classic and timeless but DH likes the Katelyn or Kaitlyn spelling. I'm also concerned if it would sound too dated these days no matter the spelling? I personally think the original spelling will stand the test of time but not keen on the spellings he likes, they seem very American.
Thoughts?

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AngelaBB · 27/05/2025 15:43

Caitlin. Classic spelling is always better.

Needmorelego · 27/05/2025 15:42

abanemare · 27/05/2025 15:05

Caitlin is the nicest I think, though remember, you, dad and the teachers will be the only ones using it, your daughter will be Kate to the rest or the world

Why? Not everyone shortens names.

blacksantanapkin · 27/05/2025 15:39

Caitlin. Beautiful name.

CocoPlum · 27/05/2025 15:38

ohyesido · 27/05/2025 12:31

Caitlin is the original and best

This.

Sunshineandgrapefruit · 27/05/2025 15:37

Caitlin. It's classic.

Redflamingos · 27/05/2025 15:36

Katelynn

Pinkissmart · 27/05/2025 15:35

I like Caitlin or Katelynn

highlandponymummy · 27/05/2025 15:34

Castling definitely

SlightlyFurther · 27/05/2025 15:31

Wafflesandstrawberries · 27/05/2025 13:08

Caitlín (the original) is an Irish name pronounced Kathleen or Kotchleen depending on the dialect of Irish. It was derived from the French name Cateline (a form of Catherine) centuries ago. There is an accent, a fada, on the second i.

The Katelyn pronunciation of the name was based on a misunderstanding of Irish spelling/pronunciation rules. Started in the US I think and spread.
I think the ship has sailed, there are Irish Caitlins/Katelyns now too but also Caitlín/Kathleens, though that’s more out of fashion now. Irish speakers will typically stick with the Kathleen/Kotchleen pronunciation.

Show quote history

Yes, it’s an abomination that spread via Irish America. If you want to call your child the sounds ‘Kate Lynne’ call them that, not Cáitlín/Cathleen/Coytchleen.

user2848502016 · 27/05/2025 15:24

Caitlin is much classier

CruCru · 27/05/2025 15:18

Emanwenym · 27/05/2025 13:48

The Irish pronunciation is nearer to Cat-linn. @CruCru

Yes, the person I am thinking of has Irish relatives.

abanemare · 27/05/2025 15:05

Caitlin is the nicest I think, though remember, you, dad and the teachers will be the only ones using it, your daughter will be Kate to the rest or the world

Wafflesandstrawberries · 27/05/2025 14:45

Okay, I did that as a shorthand way of questioning pp’s assumption that Caitlin (pronounced as Katelyn) was a traditional name.
We are in “Baby names” not “Pedants’ Corner” I believe 😉

MyDelma · 27/05/2025 14:40

Putting a question mark at the end of a statement isn't traditional either but here we are.

Wafflesandstrawberries · 27/05/2025 14:35

Oblongofdreams · 27/05/2025 13:59

Caitlin is by far the nicest spelling. I can't stand all the made-up / phonetic versions! Nothing wrong with tradition.

Caitlin pronounced as Katelyn is not exactly traditional though? Certainly not a long tradition anyway (1970s?)
The pronunciation is based on a misunderstanding of Irish language spelling/pronunciation rules.

Dogaredabomb · 27/05/2025 14:07

Caitlin is better than the alternatives. But how about Katherine, Catherine, Kathleen? Some choices with more classic and accurate spellings.

Oblongofdreams · 27/05/2025 13:59

Caitlin is by far the nicest spelling. I can't stand all the made-up / phonetic versions! Nothing wrong with tradition.

IfYouPutASausageInItItsNotAViennetta · 27/05/2025 13:55

FortyElephants · 27/05/2025 13:28

Why?? It's like the worst of all options

Show quote history

Nope, the worst of all options by a very long chalk was something I saw in a copy of Take A Break 25+ years ago.

I don't know if it was genuine or a wind-up, but one reader was extremely proud of the yooneek spelling that she'd come up with for her daughter's name: KVIIIlyn (i.e. using Roman numerals)!

Emanwenym · 27/05/2025 13:48

The Irish pronunciation is nearer to Cat-linn. @CruCru

helibirdcomp · 27/05/2025 13:47

Caitlin definitely the others look kind of contrived

MyDelma · 27/05/2025 13:44

This

CruCru · 27/05/2025 13:41

Caitlin is fine BUT how will you pronounce it? I know of one Caitlin who pronounces it “Cat-linn”. If someone did that, how much would it bug you?

FortyElephants · 27/05/2025 13:28

feelingbleh · 27/05/2025 12:47

Kaitlyn is my favourite spelling

Why?? It's like the worst of all options

Sandy792 · 27/05/2025 13:27

I'm with you OP, the C looks much prettier IMO.

AmateurNoun · 27/05/2025 13:23

Have you considered any similar names if you can't agree?

Catalina
Cateline
Katrina
Carina
Catherine/Katherine?

I quite like the old K spelling of Katherine - it makes me think of Katherine from Taming of the Shrew (and Kat in Ten Things I Hate About You) and doesn't give Kardashian vibes to me.

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