Cailin is a unique and beautiful female given name of Irish origin. The name Cailin is derived from the ancient Irish word "caolach," which means "slender" or "slim." It is often associated with the goddess Cailleach, who was believed to be the guardian of nature and the harvest in Irish mythology.
The earliest known reference to the name Cailin can be found in an early 17th-century poem by the Irish bard Turlough O'Carolan. In the poem, he refers to his wife as "Cailleach Bheithe," which translates to "the old woman of Beith" or "the witch of Beith." This suggests that the name was in use at least as early as the 17th century.
Over time, Cailin has become a popular choice for parents looking for a unique and meaningful name for their daughter. It is often spelled in various ways, including Kaelin, Kaelyn, and Kaylin, but its meaning remains consistent regardless of spelling.
In modern times, Cailin has been adopted by people outside of Ireland as well. According to the Social Security Administration's data on popular baby names in the United States, Cailin has appeared on the list of top 1000 girl names several times since the 1980s.
Overall, Cailin is a unique and beautiful name with deep roots in Irish history and mythology. Its meaning, "slender" or "slim," may be interpreted as symbolizing grace, elegance, and strength. Parents who choose this name for their daughter are likely drawn to its rich cultural heritage and distinct sound.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe several trends and patterns regarding the name Cailin in the United States:
From 1968 to around 1975, the number of babies named Cailin was relatively low, ranging from 6 to 9 births per year. However, starting in 1978, there was a noticeable increase, with more than 10 births each year until 1983.
The peak popularity for the name Cailin occurred between 1982 and 1984, with a total of 135 births during these three years combined. In 1982 alone, there were 35 babies named Cailin, marking the highest point in popularity for this name.
After 1984, the popularity of the name Cailin began to decline steadily. From 1985 to 2006, the number of births with the name Cailin ranged between 40 and 147 each year, with some fluctuations but generally a downward trend.
The period from 1994 to 2003 saw relatively high popularity for the name Cailin, with more than 100 births per year during this decade. However, after 2006, the popularity of the name continued to decrease significantly, with fewer than 100 births each year.
In recent years (2015-2023), there has been a further decline in the number of babies named Cailin, with totals ranging from 11 to 42 births per year. The most recent data shows that in 2023, only 11 babies were named Cailin.
Overall, while the name Cailin experienced periods of popularity and fluctuation in the United States, its usage has generally declined since the late 1980s.