Declining since 1985, #14,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Charlyn since 1915
Babies named Charlyn per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 12 |
| 1920s | 56 |
| 1930s | 130 |
| 1940s | 293 |
| 1950s | 310 |
| 1960s | 265 |
| 1970s | 221 |
| 1980s | 217 |
| 1990s | 127 |
| 2000s | 104 |
| 2010s | 76 |
| 2020s | 18 |
Meaning & origin
Charlyn is a compound name that blends Charles with the fashionable -lyn suffix, a pattern that gained traction in the early 1900s. First recorded in 1915, its peak year was 1944, when it saw its highest usage during the mid-century popularity of similar names like Marilyn and Evelyn. Since 1985, the name has followed a declining trajectory, and in 2025 it ranked 14,942 with a frequency of 1 in every 321,453 births. While never among the top 1,000, Charlyn maintains a quiet presence, especially in states without a concentrated following. The name's straightforward construction and familiar components give it a retro charm, though its rarity today means it stands out without being unfamiliar.
Charlyn is a modern compound name formed from Charles (of Germanic origin, meaning 'free man') and the popular suffix -lyn, itself derived from names like Linda or Lynn. It emerged in the United States in the early 20th century as part of a trend for feminine names ending in -lyn. The name never reached widespread popularity but has seen steady though low usage.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Char, Charlie, Lyn
Sibling names for Charlyn
Names that share Charlyn's style, for a brother or sister.
