Holding steady.
Popularity of Carollyn since 1933
Babies named Carollyn per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 35 |
| 1940s | 82 |
| 1950s | 37 |
| 1960s | 32 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 11 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Carollyn is a feminine name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1933, during a period when elaborate 'lyn' suffixed feminine names were fashionable. The name reached its peak usage in 1945, aligning with the mid-century popularity of names like Carolyn and Carolynn. Carollyn has never ranked among the top 1000 names in the United States; the most recent data from 2025 still shows the name as extremely rare, with no single year surpassing a rank of 5000. The trajectory of the name has been stable, with a very low but consistent number of annual births, none of which have been concentrated in any particular state. Carollyn remains a distinctive choice that echoes the vintage charm of 1940s Americana without ever having been a mainstream staple.
Carollyn is a modern spelling variant of Carolyn, which itself is a feminine form of Carol, ultimately from the Germanic name Karl, meaning 'free man'. The name entered English usage in the 19th century and saw a rise in popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly in the United States during the 1940s when it reached its peak.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Carrie, Lynn, Carol, Caz
Sibling names for Carollyn
Names that share Carollyn's style, for a brother or sister.
