Caitlin vs Kelly
Caitlin and Kellycompared 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.
New Zealand · Girls
In 1998, Caitlin was ranked #10 and Kelly #89 among girls in New Zealand.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 1995, Caitlin was ranked #19 and Kelly #99 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2021, Caitlin was ranked #123 and Kelly #446 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Caitlin was ranked #333 and Kelly #790 among girls in Scotland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2023, Caitlin was ranked #339 and Kelly #404 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Caitlin was ranked #1028 and Kelly #2006 among girls in England and Wales.
Caitlin and Kelly over time
Caitlin and Kelly appear together in 5 published lists, across 110 years of shared records. Caitlin held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Kelly in 0.
The order between them changed and held in 3 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Kelly reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 of those lists, and Caitlin in none. Each position is a place inside its own list, so this compares when they peaked and never how high.
Counted list by list. Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale in the same year, so those comparisons are real — but positions from different lists are not, so nothing here is combined into an overall standing.
How this pair is related
The relationship kinds these two qualify for, each under its own stated rule. Every one is drawn from a list they both appear in.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 1991, Caitlin moved ahead of Kelly in New Zealand · Girls — #64 and #32 the year before became #34 and #38.
- Longest-running competitions
Caitlin and Kelly were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #1028 and #2006.
- Started together, ended far apart
In 1996 they stood at #66 and #74 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #1028 and #2006.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls45 shared years, 1975–2023
Caitlin held the stronger position in 25 of those years, Kelly in 20.
Highest recorded here: Caitlin #31 in 2003, Kelly #35 in 1994.
The order changed in 1999: Caitlin moved ahead. In 1998 they stood at #54 and #53; by 1999 that had become #41 and #50.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Caitlin #339, Kelly #404.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Caitlin held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Kelly in 0.
Highest recorded here: Caitlin #21 in 2001, Kelly #74 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Caitlin #1028, Kelly #2006.
Northern Ireland · Girls17 shared years, 1997–2021
Caitlin held the stronger position in 17 of those years, Kelly in 0.
Highest recorded here: Caitlin #2 in 2002, Kelly #101 in 1997.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2021: Caitlin #123, Kelly #446.
New Zealand · Girls10 shared years, 1989–1998
Caitlin held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Kelly in 2.
Highest recorded here: Caitlin #10 in 1998, Kelly #29 in 1989.
The order changed in 1991: Caitlin moved ahead. In 1990 they stood at #64 and #32; by 1991 that had become #34 and #38.
Most recent shared year, 1998: Caitlin #10, Kelly #89.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls8 shared years, 1987–1995
Caitlin held the stronger position in 6 of those years, Kelly in 2.
Highest recorded here: Caitlin #19 in 1995, Kelly #34 in 1987.
The order changed in 1989: Caitlin moved ahead. In 1988 they stood at #77 and #47; by 1989 that had become #43 and #44.
Most recent shared year, 1995: Caitlin #19, Kelly #99.
Two names moving past each other in a ranking is a fact about the ranking. Namewise does not claim one name displaced the other, that families chose between them, or that either influenced the other — none of that is in this data.
Side by side
| Field | Caitlin | Kelly |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | An Anglicized form of Caitlín, itself a cognate of Katherine/Catalina traditions across Europe. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Irish, cognate of the wider Katherine family | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈkeɪt.lɪn/ | |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Girls #247 (2025) | England and Wales · Girls #2006 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 82/100 | 94/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Caitlin has a recorded origin (Irish, cognate of the wider Katherine family); Kelly does not have one recorded yet.
- Caitlin and Kelly both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Caitlin; Kelly doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ.
How each name got here
Caitlin
Popularity journey
First recorded1967
First recorded at #393 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1967 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1997–2024
Highest recorded position: #2 among girls in Northern Ireland, in 2002 (recorded 1997–2024).
Northern Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #1028 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Kelly
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #93 among girls in New South Wales, Australia in 1964 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Highest recorded1970–1998
Highest recorded position: #3 among girls in New Zealand, in 1978 (recorded 1970–1998).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #2006 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls