Carolyn
Carolyn is a feminine variant of Caroline, derived from the male name Charles, which comes from the Germanic word meaning 'free man.' The name gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the 20th century as an elegant alternative to Caroline.
Current Popularity
#1222 for girls
in the United States (2025)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •Easy to spell and pronounce in English-speaking countries
- •Has multiple nickname options for flexibility
- •The 'lyn' ending gives it a softer feel than Caroline
- •Well-established name that works across generations
- •Multiple spelling variations exist
Similar Names
Famous People
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy
Fashion publicist and style icon
Carolyn Jones
Actress, famous for playing Morticia Addams
Carolyn Porco
Planetary scientist and NASA expert
Carolyn Hax
Advice columnist for The Washington Post
Statistics
556,777
Total births since 1880
1947
Peak year
Discovery
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