Holding steady.
Popularity of Carilyn since 1935
Babies named Carilyn per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1958, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Carilyn's real moment was 1935.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 27 |
| 1940s | 96 |
| 1950s | 101 |
| 1960s | 80 |
| 1970s | 40 |
| 1980s | 34 |
| 1990s | 22 |
| 2000s | 12 |
| 2010s | 13 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Carilyn is a rare feminine name that first appeared in the United States in 1935, with its peak usage occurring in that very year. Since then, it has maintained a stable trajectory, never entering widespread popularity. The name is a modern invention, likely blending the traditional Caroline or Carol with the suffix -lyn, a pattern seen in many mid-century names. Despite its rarity, Carilyn fits a classic sound pattern familiar to English speakers. It has no recorded top states or notable bearers, making it a largely forgotten gem from the 1930s.
Carilyn is a modern coinage, first recorded in the United States in 1935. It appears to be a blend of names such as Carol or Caroline, which derive from the Germanic element 'karl' meaning 'free man', with the fashionable suffix '-lyn', popularized by names like Marilyn and Evelyn. The name saw limited use in the mid-20th century but never achieved widespread popularity.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cari, Lyn, Carrie
Sibling names for Carilyn
Names that share Carilyn's style, for a brother or sister.
