What does Kirsty mean?
Kirsty is a Scottish form of Christine, “follower of Christ.”
What does Catriona mean?
Catriona is the Scottish Gaelic form of Katherine, traditionally “pure.”
Kirsty vs Catriona
Which is more popular?
Kirsty and Catriona are given to a similar number of US babies today.
| Kirsty | Catriona | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Follower of Christ | Pure |
| Origin | Scottish | Scottish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | KEER-stee | kah-TREE-nah |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1961 | 1965 |
| Peak year | 1991 (99) | 1998 (32) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| Trend | Vintage | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Kirsty
Catriona
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Kirsty | Catriona |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 0 | 49 |
| 2010s | 10 | 127 |
| 2000s | 81 | 207 |
| 1990s | 508 | 152 |
| 1980s | 179 | 97 |
| 1970s | 130 | 27 |
| 1960s | 37 | 24 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Kirsty or Catriona more popular?
Kirsty and Catriona are given to a similar number of US babies today.
What is the difference between Kirsty and Catriona?
Kirsty means Follower of Christ (Scottish origin), while Catriona means Pure (Scottish origin).
Which name is older, Kirsty or Catriona?
In US records, Kirsty first appears in 1961 and Catriona in 1965, so Kirsty has the longer recorded history.