Declining since 1996.
Popularity of Carlye since 1944
Babies named Carlye per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1996, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Carlye's real moment was 1976.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 10 |
| 1950s | 23 |
| 1960s | 24 |
| 1970s | 161 |
| 1980s | 252 |
| 1990s | 381 |
| 2000s | 190 |
| 2010s | 25 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Carlye is a rare feminine name that appears to be a modern spelling variation of the more common Carly or Carlie. The name first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1944, but never achieved widespread popularity, peaking in 1976 (the peak year) at a level too low to enter the top 1000. Since 1996 its usage has been falling, and in the most recent data (year 2025) it remains extremely uncommon, with no rank and a 1-in-N value indicating fewer than 5 births in that year. The name saw its highest usage during the 1970s, though even then it was a rare pick. Because Carlye never broke into national rankings, no states had enough births to appear in top states data. The name is a spelling variant in a trend of feminine names ending in '-ee' or '-ie' that flourished mid-century. While its ultimate root is Germanic, the specific spelling Carlye is a distinctly American modern coinage with no long historical pedigree.
Carlye is a modern English spelling variant of Carly, which originated as a feminine form of Carl. Carl derives from the Germanic word *karlaz* meaning 'free man'. The name gained familiarity in English-speaking countries during the 20th century, with the spelling Carlye emerging as a less common variant. It has no established history before the 1900s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Carl, Lee
Sibling names for Carlye
Names that share Carlye's style, for a brother or sister.
