Declining since 1985, #1,222 for girls today.
Popularity of Carolyn since 1880
Babies named Carolyn per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 856 |
| 1890s | 1,401 |
| 1900s | 2,009 |
| 1910s | 8,940 |
| 1920s | 22,776 |
| 1930s | 69,525 |
| 1940s | 181,858 |
| 1950s | 124,067 |
| 1960s | 75,266 |
| 1970s | 27,046 |
| 1980s | 18,628 |
| 1990s | 12,884 |
| 2000s | 6,737 |
| 2010s | 3,482 |
| 2020s | 1,302 |
Meaning & origin
Carolyn is a classic English name that carries an air of vintage charm. It reached the height of its popularity in 1942, when it was a top 100 name. According to Social Security data, Carolyn was at its peak in 1942 and has been on a general decline since 1985, currently sitting at rank 1222 in 2025. That means roughly 1 in every 8,688 baby girls born in the United States today is named Carolyn. While no longer a common choice, it remains a familiar and well-established name, especially in states like Mississippi, Kentucky, and South Carolina, where it has seen its highest usage. Its trajectory shows a slow fall from its mid-century heights, but Carolyn still evokes the poise of its most popular decades.
Carolyn is an English feminine given name, a variant of Caroline, which itself derives from the Latin name Carolus, meaning 'man' or 'free man'. The name Charles, from which Carolyn ultimately stems, became common due to the fame of Charlemagne (Charles the Great) in the early Middle Ages. Carolyn emerged as a distinct form in the 19th century, possibly influenced by the popularity of Carolyn as a given name in the United States, where it ranked among the top 100 names for girls from 1927 to 1957, peaking in 1942.
Where Carolyn is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Carrie, Lyn, Caro
Sibling names for Carolyn
Names that share Carolyn's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Marilyn, Kathleen, Jacqueline, Evelyn, Gwendolyn, Dianna, Nancy, Toni, Jerrilyn, Marilynn, Marlyn, Roseann, Sharilyn, Geralyn, Jeralyn, Jerilynn, Maralyn, Marolyn, Marylyn, Merilyn, Saralyn, Sharlyn, Sharolyn, Barbaraann, Darilyn, Darlynn, Harolyn, Jacklin, Jacolyn, Jerelyn, Jerolyn, Lauralyn, Marilin, Marillyn, Marilynne, Marlynn, Sharalyn, Shirlyn, Wendolyn, Beverlyn, Carilyn, Deborra, Geralynn, Jerrilynn, Lauraann, Loralyn, Marynell, Merelyn, Merryl, Shearon, Sherilynn, Sherolyn, Sheryn, Beverlyann, Brendolyn, Darrelyn, Donalyn, Gailyn, Jackolyn, Jeralynn, Jerriann, Marijean, Marilyne, Marvelyn, Sharlynn, Sharonlee, Shyrl
Brothers: Richard, Donald, Kenneth, Harold, Raymond, Duane, Dwight, Randell, Lindell, Lyndel
Names like Carolyn
Names whose popularity has moved with Carolyn's over the last 50 years.
