Catelyn Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAT-lin //ˈkæt.lɪn//
Origin: Irish; English
Meaning: Irish: pure; English: variant of Catherine
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Catelyn is derived from the Old French name "Catherine," which itself originates from the Greek name "Aikaterine." The Greek root is often linked to the word "katharos," meaning "pure." The name underwent various transformations as it passed through different languages and cultures, with notable forms including the Latin "Catherina" and the Old French "Catherine," before evolving into the Anglicized version, Catelyn, in the English-speaking world. This transition reflects the broader historical influences of Norman conquest and the subsequent integration of French linguistic elements into English.
Historically, the name Catherine has been borne by several prominent figures, including Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a Christian martyr from the 4th century, whose legacy contributed to the name's popularity in medieval Europe. The name was further popularized by its association with various queens and saints throughout the centuries.
In the 12th century, the name began to appear in English texts, and by the late Middle Ages, it was well established in England, often linked to the veneration of saints and the cultural significance of purity and virtue. Catelyn, as a variant of Catherine, carries with it the historical and cultural weight of its predecessors.
It has been associated with themes of strength and resilience, often reflecting the qualities attributed to its saintly namesakes. The name gained additional cultural resonance through literature and media, particularly in the 21st century, where it has been featured in popular works, further embedding it in the cultural consciousness.
The diminutive form "Cate" has also been used historically, serving as a familiar or affectionate variant that highlights the name's enduring appeal.
Famous people named Catelyn
In this section, you will find notable people named Catelyn. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Catelyn who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Catelyn who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Catelyn Stark is a fictional character best known for her role in the television series Game of Thrones and the book series A Song of Ice and Fire.
Fictional characters named Catelyn
The following list of fictional characters named Catelyn is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Catelyn Stark is a fictional character from the book series A Song of Ice and Fire and its television adaptation Game of Thrones. She is the matriarch of House Stark and fiercely protective of her family, playing a crucial role in the political intrigue of Westeros.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Catelyn, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Catelyn. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Catelyn was first seen in the United States in 1985.
Catelyn has ranked as high as #1275 nationally, which occurred in 2006, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Georgia, Illinois, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Catelyn has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Catelyn is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Catelyn was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Catelyn (2016)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 6 | |
| TX | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Catelyn.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2019 | 15 |
| 2018 | 22 |
| 2017 | 29 |
| 2016 | 27 |
| 2015 | 48 |
| 2014 | 53 |
| 2013 | 52 |
| 2012 | 77 |
| 2011 | 85 |
| 2010 | 93 |
| 2009 | 83 |
| 2008 | 95 |
| 2007 | 100 |
| 2006 | 108 |
| 2005 | 101 |
| 2004 | 100 |
| 2003 | 91 |
| 2002 | 77 |
| 2001 | 72 |
| 2000 | 91 |
| 1999 | 67 |
| 1998 | 80 |
| 1997 | 74 |
| 1996 | 69 |
| 1995 | 65 |
| 1994 | 60 |
| 1993 | 69 |
| 1992 | 73 |
| 1991 | 55 |
| 1990 | 51 |
| 1989 | 63 |
| 1988 | 43 |
| 1987 | 26 |
| 1986 | 16 |
| 1985 | 24 |