What does Catriona mean?
Catriona is the Scottish Gaelic form of Katherine, traditionally “pure.”
What does Ailsa mean?
Ailsa comes from Ailsa Craig, an island rock, and is linked to “elf” and “victory.”
Catriona vs Ailsa
Which is more popular?
Catriona and Ailsa are given to a similar number of US babies today.
| Catriona | Ailsa | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Pure | Elf victory |
| Origin | Scottish | Scottish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | kah-TREE-nah | AYL-sah |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1965 | 1918 |
| Peak year | 1998 (32) | 2003 (19) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| Trend | Steady | Declining |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Catriona
Ailsa
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Catriona | Ailsa |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 49 | 25 |
| 2010s | 127 | 121 |
| 2000s | 207 | 123 |
| 1990s | 152 | 112 |
| 1980s | 97 | 45 |
| 1970s | 27 | 80 |
| 1960s | 24 | 6 |
| 1920s | 0 | 21 |
| 1910s | 0 | 5 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Catriona or Ailsa more popular?
Catriona and Ailsa are given to a similar number of US babies today.
What is the difference between Catriona and Ailsa?
Catriona means Pure (Scottish origin), while Ailsa means Elf victory (Scottish origin).
Which name is older, Catriona or Ailsa?
In US records, Catriona first appears in 1965 and Ailsa in 1918, so Ailsa has the longer recorded history.