Caithlin vs Elsie
Caithlin and Elsiecompared on official birth-registration statistics and Namewise's recorded data. This page states what each name's record shows — it never picks a winner or scores one name against the other.
Head to head
Ranks are only compared within one published list and one year. Two ranks from different years, from a boys' and a girls' list, or from different registrars are not comparable, so they are not placed side by side.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2010, Caithlin was ranked #758 and Elsie #319 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2000, Caithlin was ranked #3912 and Elsie #670 among girls in England and Wales.
Side by side
| Field | Caithlin | Elsie |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | Shares the root meaning of Elizabeth: 'my God is an oath', inherited via the Scots form Elspeth. |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Scottish, via Elizabeth |
| Pronunciation | Not yet recorded | /ˈɛlsi/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Elspeth |
| Recorded regional usage | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Girls #758 (2010) | England and Wales · Girls #8 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | Not yet recorded | 90/100 |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 76/100 | 94/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | high |
What the data shows
- Elsie has a recorded origin (Scottish, via Elizabeth); Caithlin does not have one recorded yet.
- Caithlin and Elsie both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Elsie; Caithlin doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE.
- The available evidence gives Caithlin a "medium" Data Confidence level and Elsie a "high" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Caithlin
Popularity journey
First recorded1997
First recorded at #440 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1997 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1998–2006
Highest recorded position: #293 among girls in Northern Ireland, in 2001 (recorded 1998–2006).
Northern Ireland · Girls
Most recent2010
Most recently recorded at #758 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 2010.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Elsie
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #301 among girls in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1996–2025
Highest recorded position: #8 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025 (recorded 1996–2025).
England and Wales · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #8 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls