Carolyn
English · Girl · 3 syllables
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Carolyn
Carolyn means "free woman" or "woman of strength" and derives from the Germanic name Charles (Carolus) through the feminine form Caroline, ultimately rooted in the Germanic element "karl" meaning man or free man.
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Etymology
Carolyn means "free woman" or "woman of strength" and derives from the Germanic name Charles (Carolus) through the feminine form Caroline, ultimately rooted in the Germanic element "karl" meaning man or free man. The name is primarily used in English-speaking Christian cultures and became particularly popular in America during the 20th century, with notable bearers including First Lady Carolyn Kennedy and actress Carolyn Jones.
Carolyn currently ranks #1,222 in the United States as a girl's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1947.
Variants & nicknames
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Sibling name ideas
English names that sit beautifully beside CarolynSimilar names you might like
Names starting with CMore names starting with C
- Caidan
- Cailum
- Caitilin
- Callen
- Caithlin
- Caedan
- Caidin
- Caelum
- Cadan
- Caius
- Cal
- Calaeb
- Caitlyn
- Caela
- Caitriona
- Caitie
- Calla
- Cael
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Names that sound like Carolyn
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"Charlene is the feminine form of Charles, derived from the Germanic name Karl, which means "free man" or "a man…"
"The name 'Carolin' is a feminine given name meaning "free man" or "strong," derived from the Germanic root *karlaz* via…"
"Carolann is a compound name combining Carol (from the Germanic name Charles, meaning "free man") and Ann (from the Hebrew…"
"The name Charleen is a feminine given name meaning "free man" or "strong," derived from the Germanic root *karlaz* via…"
"The name 'Carlyn' is a modern feminine variant of 'Carl' or 'Charles', meaning "free man" or "strong," derived from the…"
"The name 'Charelene' is a variant of 'Charlene,' meaning "free man" or "little woman," derived from the Germanic root *karlaz*…"
"The name 'Carlynn' is a modern American feminine given name, typically a blend of 'Carla' (from the Germanic 'karl', meaning…"
"The name 'Carolynn' is a feminine variant of 'Carol', derived from the Germanic root *karlaz* meaning "free man," ultimately linked…"
"The name 'Charlaine' is a modern feminine blend of 'Charlotte' (from the Germanic 'karl' meaning "free man") and the suffix…"