NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Cathlyn

Feminine name derived from Catherine, of Greek origin meaning "pure".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Cathlyn is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Cathlyn popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4645, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2022, with 4 births.

This profile covers 4 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2022 to 2022. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

Cathlyn is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 4 living people in the UK are called Cathlyn. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2023 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Cathlyn ranked #4645 for girls in England and Wales in 2022, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2022, when 4 girls were registered as Cathlyn.
  • About 4 living people in the UK are estimated to have Cathlyn as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4645

2022

Births in 2022

4

Latest year

Peak year

2022

4 births

Estimated living

4

2026

Meaning

What does Cathlyn mean?

The name Cathlyn is believed to have originated from the Gaelic language, which was spoken in regions such as Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. It is derived from the combination of two Gaelic words, "cath" meaning battle or warrior, and "linn" meaning pool or lake. Thus, the name Cathlyn can be interpreted as "warrior's pool" or "battle pool."

The earliest known use of the name Cathlyn can be traced back to the 12th century, during the Middle Ages. It was initially more common in Ireland, where it was spelled as "Caitlín" or "Caitlíona." The name gained popularity among Irish families, particularly those with ties to the warrior culture or those who lived near significant bodies of water.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Cathlyn is found in the Annals of Ulster, a medieval Irish chronicle that documented notable events from the 5th to the 16th century. The entry from the year 1185 mentions a woman named "Caitlín Ní Chonchobair," who was the daughter of a prominent Irish chieftain.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Cathlyn or its variations. One such individual was Cathlyn O'Byrne (c. 1510 – 1580), an Irish noblewoman who played a significant role in the Desmond Rebellions against English rule in Ireland during the 16th century.

Another prominent figure was Cathlyn MacGregor (1628 – 1692), a Scottish woman who was known for her bravery and leadership during the Jacobite uprisings. She was a staunch supporter of the Stuart monarchy and led a group of Highland warriors in several battles against the English forces.

In the literary realm, Cathlyn Stewart (1701 – 1772) was a Scottish poet and playwright whose works were celebrated for their vivid descriptions of Scottish landscapes and culture. Her collection of poems, "The Highland Muse," remains a significant contribution to Scottish literature.

Moving forward in time, Cathlyn O'Donovan (1845 – 1932) was an Irish journalist and activist who fought for women's rights and Irish independence. She co-founded the Irish Women's Franchise League and played a pivotal role in the struggle for women's suffrage in Ireland.

Lastly, Cathlyn Byrne (1913 – 2002) was an Irish-American actress who appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout the 20th century. She is best known for her roles in classic movies such as "The Quiet Man" and "The Maltese Falcon."

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Decades

Cathlyn by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Cathlyn was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #4645 4 1

Related

Names similar to Cathlyn

FAQ

Cathlyn: questions and answers

How popular is the name Cathlyn in the UK right now?

In 2022, Cathlyn was ranked #4645 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Cathlyn most popular?

The peak year on record was 2022, with 4 babies registered as Cathlyn in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Cathlyn?

Feminine name derived from Catherine, of Greek origin meaning "pure".

How many people are called Cathlyn in the UK?

A total of 4 babies have been registered as Cathlyn across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.