Irish girl name
Cáit Name Meaning, Origin & Pronunciation
Cáit means pure. The Irish form of Kate, itself a short form of Catherine
Cáit is the short Irish equivalent of Kate and is related to the long-established Catherine and Caitríona. Its brevity is part of its charm: one syllable, a crisp opening K sound and a long vowel signalled by the fada. It has long been used in Irish-speaking communities, where the pet form Cáitín is also familiar. The name offers an easy bridge between English and Irish, since friends abroad can simply say Kate while the Irish spelling remains on the birth certificate. It pairs well with longer family names and middle names.
Variants of Cáit
CaitlínCáitínKate
Cáit popularity: Ireland vs the US
In 2025 Cáit ranked #229 in Ireland (19 babies) and #15,742 in the US (5 babies). It is far more popular in Ireland than in America.
Ireland (girls)United States (girls)
Rank among babies of the same sex, 1 = most popular (log scale). Ranks below #10,000 sit on the bottom edge. Gaps mean fewer than 3 Irish or 5 US babies that year.
Data: US Social Security Administration (public domain) and Central Statistics Office, Ireland (CC BY 4.0). Irish accented spellings (such as Síle) are only recorded from 2018, so earlier years combine spellings.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cáit mean?
Cáit means "pure". The Irish form of Kate, itself a short form of Catherine.
How do you pronounce Cáit?
Cáit is pronounced KAWTCH.
What is the origin of Cáit?
Cáit is of Irish origin. The Irish form of Kate, itself a short form of Catherine.