Girl · 25th of 12,526
Carolyn
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
558,213
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1947
Peak Popularity Year
20,787
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Carolyn stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Carolyn is a name of Latin origin, meaning 'free man'. It evolved from the Latin 'Carolus' through various forms, including Charles and Caroline, before becoming popular as Carolyn. The name is characterized by its classic appeal and has no biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the 20th century and is associated with notable figures in various fields.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkɛr.ə.lɪn/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Carolyn is derived from the Latin name 'Carolus', which is a diminutive form of 'Charles', meaning 'free man'. It became popular as a feminine name in the 20th century.
Meaning
free man
Language Evolution
Carolus (Latin), Charles (Old French), Caroline (French), Carolyn (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Carolyn gained popularity in the United States during the early to mid-20th century and has remained a common name since then.
Variants & Derivatives
Caroline, Carol, Carrie, Carly
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Carolyn is viewed as a classic and timeless name, often associated with elegance and tradition.
Famous People
Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Carolyn McCarthy, Carolyn Jones, Carolyn Murphy
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 20,787 peak births in 1947
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Arkansas
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 9 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4523rd of 7545 | 44 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1138th of 6773 | 650 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1371st of 7552 | 609 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2814th of 10718 | 201 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5695th of 16616 | 116 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 155th of 9107 | 27,421 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 20th of 9204 | 180,829 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 25th of 12526 | 246,531 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 99th of 19264 | 58,450 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 179th of 27321 | 26,587 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 447th of 35406 | 10,845 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 933rd of 30306 | 3,488 |