Declining since 2016, #14,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Carlynn since 1922
Babies named Carlynn per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 57 |
| 1950s | 64 |
| 1960s | 61 |
| 1970s | 52 |
| 1980s | 94 |
| 1990s | 126 |
| 2000s | 104 |
| 2010s | 186 |
| 2020s | 71 |
Meaning & origin
Carlynn is a modern feminine name that combines the familiar elements Carly and Lynn. Its first recorded use in U.S. Social Security data was in 1922, but it remained very rare for decades. The name experienced a modest peak in 2017, when it reached its highest rank, before beginning a gradual decline. As of 2025, its rank of 14,942 places it well outside the mainstream, with roughly 1 in every 321,453 baby girls receiving the name that year. While not tied to any specific region or state, Carlynn fits the pattern of compound names that were fashionable from the late 20th century onward. Its trajectory has been falling since 2016, reflecting a broader shift away from invented blends in favor of more traditional or nature-inspired choices.
Carlynn is a modern compound name, likely created from the popular elements Carly and Lynn. Carly itself is a feminine form of Carl, ultimately from the Old German *karl* 'free man'. Lynn is derived from a Welsh word for 'lake' or 'pool'. The combination Carlynn emerged in the early 20th century; its first recorded U.S. use was in 1922. It saw a rise in the 2010s and is primarily given to girls.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Carly, Lynn
Sibling names for Carlynn
Names that share Carlynn's style, for a brother or sister.
