Caitlyn

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A feminine first name, a modern spelling variant of Caitlin and a form of Kathleen
2. Used as a girl's or woman's first name, a variant spelling of Caitlin derived from Irish Catherine
3. A female given name, an alternative spelling of Caitlin that traces back to the name Catherine

Etymology: The spelling "Caitlyn" is a modern variant of "Caitlin," the Irish and Scottish Gaelic form of "Catherine." The Gaelic form came from the Anglo-Norman "Katherine," which descends from the Greek "Aikaterine." Its meaning is uncertain. One traditional link is to Greek "katharos," meaning "pure," but many scholars regard that connection as doubtful, so it remains an open question. The "y" spelling is a more recent development. It became widely visible through prominent public figures, including Caitlyn Jenner, and it turns a familiar Gaelic-derived name into a distinctly American-looking form. The name's long popularity owes much to Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a legendary early Christian martyr whose cult spread across medieval Europe and carried her name into countless families.