Katelyn is a feminine given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the ancient Gaelic name Caitlín, which is composed of the elements "cait" meaning "pure" or "virginal," and "lin" which means "flax." Therefore, the name Katelyn can be interpreted as meaning "pure and radiant."
The name Caitlín was popularized in Ireland during the Middle Ages through the legendary figure of St. Catherine of Alexandria. According to tradition, St. Catherine was a young Christian woman who refused to marry the pagan emperor Maxentius unless he converted to Christianity first. She was eventually martyred for her faith around the year 307 AD.
The name Caitlín became widely used in Ireland due to the veneration of St. Catherine as one of the patron saints of Ireland. The form Katelyn emerged in English-speaking countries as a variant spelling of the original Irish name during the modern era, gaining popularity alongside other similar names such as Kathryn and Caitlin.
Throughout history, notable individuals with some variation of this name include American poet Kate Chopin (1850-1904), British actress Kate Beckinsale (born 1973), and Canadian singer-songwriter k.d. lang (born 1961). These women have contributed to the enduring appeal of the name Katelyn across various cultures and generations.
In summary, Katelen is a beautiful feminine given name of Irish origin that carries with it a rich history dating back to ancient Gaelic times. Its meaning, "pure and radiant," reflects the strength and resilience of its historical namesake, St. Catherine of Alexandria. As a popular choice among parents today, Katelyn continues to be cherished for its timeless elegance and profound significance.
The given statistics show the annual number of births with the name Katelen in the United States from 1986 to 2010. Over this period, there were a total of 221 babies named Katelen born in the US.
The name's popularity varied over time, with peaks and troughs in its usage. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Katelen was given to around 8-13 newborn girls each year. It reached a high of 14 births in the year 2000 before declining again.
Interestingly, there were two years (1986 and 2006) where only 5 babies were named Katelen, suggesting that these years may have been less popular for this name compared to others. Conversely, there were several years (1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2007) where more than 10 babies were given the name Katelen.
Overall, while Katelen may not have been one of the most popular baby girl names in the US during this time period, it was consistently used each year, with an average of around 10 births per year. This demonstrates that Katelen was a steadily used name option for parents during these two decades.