Caolan is an uncommon Irish given name, derived from the ancient Gaelic word "caolach," which means "lean" or "slender." It was popular among early Irish settlers and can be found in various spellings such as Caoilinn, Caolán, and Colan. While not widely used today, it adds a unique touch to those who bear it.
Caolan has seen a relatively steady increase in usage as a baby name since the late '80s, with a notable spike around the early 2000s and again recently in 2020 and 2023.