Holding steady.
Popularity of Karlye since 1973
Babies named Karlye per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 55 |
| 1990s | 158 |
| 2000s | 142 |
| 2010s | 24 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Karlye is a relatively uncommon name in the United States, first recorded in 1973. It reached its peak usage in 1992, after which its popularity stabilized at a low level. As of the latest data from 2025, it remains a rare choice, with fewer than one in a million newborns receiving the name in recent years. The name has not been strongly associated with any particular state or region, appearing sporadically across the country. Karlye's spelling variant aligns with a broader trend of personalized spellings of established names like Carly, contributing to its modest but enduring presence.
Karlye originated as an alternate spelling of Carly, itself a modern feminine form of Carl. Carl derives from the Germanic element 'karlaz' meaning 'free man' or 'strong'. The -lye ending is an orthographic variant of -lee or -lie, common in English coinages from the late 20th century. The name gained modest use in the United States after 1970, peaking in popularity around 1992.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kar, Lee, Lye
Sibling names for Karlye
Names that share Karlye's style, for a brother or sister.
