What does Catriona mean?
Catriona is the Scottish Gaelic form of Katherine, traditionally “pure.”
What does Eilidh mean?
Eilidh is a Scottish Gaelic name linked to Helen, “sun” or “light.”
Catriona vs Eilidh
Which is more popular?
Eilidh is more popular than Catriona today: about 12 US babies were given the name Eilidh in 2025, compared with 0 named Catriona.
| Catriona | Eilidh | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Pure | Sun, light |
| Origin | Scottish | Scottish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | kah-TREE-nah | AY-lee |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1965 | 1999 |
| Peak year | 1998 (32) | 2019 (18) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 12 |
| Trend | Steady | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Catriona
Eilidh
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Catriona | Eilidh |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 49 | 81 |
| 2010s | 127 | 108 |
| 2000s | 207 | 81 |
| 1990s | 152 | 5 |
| 1980s | 97 | 0 |
| 1970s | 27 | 0 |
| 1960s | 24 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Catriona or Eilidh more popular?
Eilidh is more popular than Catriona today: about 12 US babies were given the name Eilidh in 2025, compared with 0 named Catriona.
What is the difference between Catriona and Eilidh?
Catriona means Pure (Scottish origin), while Eilidh means Sun, light (Scottish origin).
Which name is older, Catriona or Eilidh?
In US records, Catriona first appears in 1965 and Eilidh in 1999, so Catriona has the longer recorded history.