Declining since 2018, #4,857 for boys today.
Popularity of Carlyle since 1892
Babies named Carlyle per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 | 36 |
| 1900s | 0 | 47 |
| 1910s | 5 | 631 |
| 1920s | 15 | 791 |
| 1930s | 0 | 552 |
| 1940s | 7 | 401 |
| 1950s | 5 | 348 |
| 1960s | 0 | 168 |
| 1970s | 0 | 168 |
| 1980s | 7 | 165 |
| 1990s | 73 | 152 |
| 2000s | 43 | 92 |
| 2010s | 41 | 192 |
| 2020s | 19 | 113 |
Meaning & origin
Carlyle is a rare but storied unisex name with strong Scottish roots, carrying the weight of the esteemed essayist Thomas Carlyle. First recorded as a given name in 1892, it saw its peak in 1918, during an era of surname adoption. Since 2018, its usage has been declining, and it now stands at rank 4,857 in 2025, with only 1 in every 85,404 newborns receiving the name. Its rarity offers a distinctive choice for parents drawn to literary history and Scottish heritage.
Carlyle is derived from the surname of the famous Scottish essayist Thomas Carlyle. The surname itself comes from Carlisle, a city in Cumbria, England, whose name is of Celtic origin meaning 'fort of Lugus'. The name has been used as a given name since the 19th century, influenced by the reputation of Thomas Carlyle.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Carl, Carly
Sibling names for Carlyle
Names that share Carlyle's style, for a brother or sister.
