Caelan
Say it: KAY-lan
BoyIrishMeans usually explained as "slender"6 letters2 syllables
#43
in Ireland (2025)
#44 with spellings combined
116
babies in 2025
#44
best rank (2024)
771
babies since 2000
Up 201
10-year rank change
Caelan through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 116 | #44 |
| 2024 | 131 | #44 |
| 2023 | 114 | #52 |
| 2022 | 59 | #107 |
| 2021 | 61 | #105 |
| 2020 | 27 | #183 |
| 2019 | 18 | #254 |
| 2018 | 17 | #267 |
| 2017 | 18 | #263 |
| 2016 | 11 | #353 |
| 2015 | 21 | #245 |
| 2014 | 17 | #280 |
| 2013 | 20 | #257 |
| 2012 | 13 | #324 |
| 2011 | 19 | #263 |
| 2010 | 18 | #269 |
| 2009 | 17 | #271 |
| 2008 | 9 | #386 |
| 2007 | 9 | #342 |
| 2006 | 10 | #296 |
| 2005 | 8 | #302 |
| 2004 | 4 | #440 |
| 2003 | 9 | #275 |
| 2002 | 8 | #267 |
| 2001 | 10 | #226 |
| 2000 | 7 | #250 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0. Spellings with and without fadas are combined; the CSO only recorded fadas from 2018.
★ What does Caelan mean?
Usually explained as "slender"
Irish, an English spelling of Caolán, from caol (slender) with the small ending -án.
Say it right
KAYlan
The Irish spelling Caolán has a long "á" in the second syllable.
The story of Caelan
Caelan is usually taken as an English spelling of the Irish Caolán, an old name built from caol, meaning slender or narrow, and the small ending -án. Kealan and Keelan are other English spellings of the same name.
The best-known bearer today is Caelan Doris, the Leinster and Ireland rugby player.
Caelan first reached the CSO list in 2000 and stayed rare for two decades. Then it took off: from 27 boys in 2020 it rose to 131 in 2024, its best year so far, when it reached number 43. The CSO counts Caelán, with a fada, and the Irish spelling Caolán as separate names. It remains uncommon in Northern Ireland, where it was 212th in 2025. Its best place there was 152nd, back in 2000.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Caolán (Irish proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Caolán
- Wikipedia: Caelan Doris
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, Baby Names in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Caelan | 116 | 765 |
| Caelán | under 3 | 6 |
In Northern Ireland
#212 in 2025 with 9 babies. Best rank #152 (2000); 177 babies since 1999.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.