The baby name Cailan is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈkeɪlən/ (KAY-lən); also heard as KAY-lan or KAY-lawn.
Cailan is Irish, Scottish Gaelic in Origin.
The baby name Cailan is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈkeɪlən/ (KAY-lən); also heard as KAY-lan or KAY-lawn.
Cailan is Irish, Scottish Gaelic in Origin.
Cailan is a modern Anglicized given name drawing chiefly from Irish Gaelic Caolán (from caol “slender, narrow” + the diminutive -án), yielding the sense “little slender one.” The form Caolán appears in medieval Gaelic records, while the streamlined spellings Caelan/Cailan spread in the late 20th century with the broader fashion for Irish and Scottish names in the Anglophone world; the name is used for boys and, less commonly, girls.
A closely related Scottish Gaelic source is Cailean, the medieval name behind English Colin (borne by figures such as Cailean Mór Campbell), from a word meaning “whelp, young pup.” This proximity of forms helps explain variant spellings and the duality of meanings sometimes ascribed to Cailan. Common variants include Caelan, Cailen, Caelin, Kaelan, Kaelin, and Keelan; the Gaelic originals are Caolán and Cailean. Feminine-adjacent modern spin-offs include Caelyn, Kailyn, and Kaelyn.
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | Boys | 2013 | #1 | — | 745 |
| AO | Girls | 0 | #217 | 1 | 4,575 |
| Canada | Boys | 2021 | #311 | 5 | 2,600 |
| CN | Boys | 0 | #331 | 1 | 9,639 |
| DK | Boys | 0 | #332 | 1 | 7,401 |
| ZA | 0 | #474 | 1 | 14,421 | |
| CR | Boys | 0 | #510 | 1 | 10,188 |
| HK | Girls | 0 | #646 | 5 | 16,104 |
| BR | Boys | 0 | #781 | 5 | 12,213 |
| United States | Boys | 2024 | #884 | 9 | 7,044 |
| United States | Girls | 2010 | #917 | 6 | 9,789 |
| BR | Girls | 0 | #992 | 1 | 12,708 |
| MY | Girls | 0 | #1,072 | 1 | 24,821 |
| ZA | Boys | 0 | #1,271 | 2 | 25,619 |
Cailan is popular in 10 countries — most recent births per country:
Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!