Rising since 2022, #6,546 for girls today.
Popularity of Karlyn since 1924
Babies named Karlyn per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 |
| 1930s | 100 |
| 1940s | 186 |
| 1950s | 223 |
| 1960s | 300 |
| 1970s | 232 |
| 1980s | 281 |
| 1990s | 397 |
| 2000s | 336 |
| 2010s | 258 |
| 2020s | 67 |
Meaning & origin
The name Karlyn has been in use in the United States since 1924, but it saw its greatest popularity during the 1990s, peaking in 1992. After a period of decline, it began rising again in 2022, reaching a rank of 6,546 in 2025, with about 1 in 94,545 newborns given the name. Despite its long history, Karlyn has never been among the top-ranked names, and no state recorded it as a standout favorite. Its modern construction and soft ending make it a part of the popular -lyn trend for girls.
Karlyn appears to be a modern coinage, blending the root name Carl (or its feminine forms Carla/Carolyn) with the trendy -lyn suffix. It has been used in the United States since at least the 1920s, with a notable peak in the 1990s. The name is often considered a respelling or variant of Carolyn or Karla.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kar, Lyn, Karly
Sibling names for Karlyn
Names that share Karlyn's style, for a brother or sister.
