Girl
Carolyn
free man, strong
About Carolyn
Timeless elegance defines this classic choice, offering refinement that transcends generations. This name has graced countless accomplished women throughout history, from artists to leaders, educators to innovators. There's a dignity inherent in its three syllables, a sense of completeness and balance that feels satisfying when spoken. The name manages to feel both formal and friendly, adapting seamlessly to any situation or life stage. It pairs exceptionally well with a wide variety of middle and last names, demonstrating its versatility. Parents who choose this name often appreciate tradition without stuffiness, wanting something proven and reliable. The various nickname options provide flexibility as a child grows and develops her own preferences. It's a name that never goes out of style, never feels dated, and always commands respect while remaining approachable and warm.
Popularity of the Name Carolyn
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | New Zealand | Ireland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #163 | ||||
| 1881 | #195 | ||||
| 1882 | #217 | ||||
| 1883 | #234 | ||||
| 1884 | #218 | ||||
| 1885 | #209 | ||||
| 1886 | #222 | ||||
| 1887 | #208 | ||||
| 1888 | #203 | ||||
| 1889 | #199 | ||||
| 1890 | #217 | ||||
| 1891 | #230 | ||||
| 1892 | #239 | ||||
| 1893 | #211 | ||||
| 1894 | #219 | ||||
| 1895 | #227 | ||||
| 1896 | #227 | ||||
| 1897 | #227 | ||||
| 1898 | #225 | ||||
| 1899 | #231 | ||||
| 1900 | #231 | ||||
| 1901 | #237 | ||||
| 1902 | #224 | ||||
| 1903 | #241 | ||||
| 1904 | #227 | ||||
| 1905 | #213 | ||||
| 1906 | #235 | ||||
| 1907 | #254 | ||||
| 1908 | #200 | ||||
| 1909 | #194 | ||||
| 1910 | #199 | ||||
| 1911 | #185 | ||||
| 1912 | #189 | ||||
| 1913 | #170 | ||||
| 1914 | #169 | ||||
| 1915 | #168 | ||||
| 1916 | #163 | ||||
| 1917 | #164 | ||||
| 1918 | #167 | ||||
| 1919 | #165 | ||||
| 1920 | #150 | ||||
| 1921 | #146 | ||||
| 1922 | #144 | ||||
| 1923 | #132 | ||||
| 1924 | #127 | ||||
| 1925 | #127 | ||||
| 1926 | #114 | ||||
| 1927 | #99 | ||||
| 1928 | #91 | ||||
| 1929 | #77 | ||||
| 1930 | #72 | ||||
| 1931 | #60 | ||||
| 1932 | #46 | ||||
| 1933 | #40 | ||||
| 1934 | #33 | ||||
| 1935 | #28 | ||||
| 1936 | #23 | ||||
| 1937 | #20 | ||||
| 1938 | #15 | #195 | |||
| 1939 | #14 | #196 | |||
| 1940 | #15 | #164 | |||
| 1941 | #11 | #105 | |||
| 1942 | #10 | #67 | |||
| 1943 | #11 | #85 | |||
| 1944 | #11 | #68 | |||
| 1945 | #12 | #44 | |||
| 1946 | #12 | #41 | |||
| 1947 | #15 | #36 | |||
| 1948 | #14 | #29 | |||
| 1949 | #17 | #28 | |||
| 1950 | #20 | #32 | |||
| 1951 | #22 | #43 | |||
| 1952 | #24 | #42 | |||
| 1953 | #25 | #52 | |||
| 1954 | #27 | #51 | |||
| 1955 | #30 | #56 | |||
| 1956 | #33 | #72 | |||
| 1957 | #33 | #46 | |||
| 1958 | #37 | #39 | |||
| 1959 | #42 | #33 | |||
| 1960 | #43 | #32 | |||
| 1961 | #42 | #32 | |||
| 1962 | #46 | #35 | |||
| 1963 | #56 | #41 | |||
| 1964 | #56 | #43 | #195 | ||
| 1965 | #58 | #39 | #209 | ||
| 1966 | #60 | #47 | #290 | ||
| 1967 | #60 | #55 | #241 | ||
| 1968 | #61 | #63 | #218 | ||
| 1969 | #71 | #43 | #238 | ||
| 1970 | #84 | #52 | #272 | ||
| 1971 | #104 | #59 | #244 | ||
| 1972 | #110 | #82 | #251 | ||
| 1973 | #116 | #79 | #295 | ||
| 1974 | #118 | #70 | #285 | ||
| 1975 | #119 | #100 | #234 | ||
| 1976 | #129 | #89 | #266 | ||
| 1977 | #129 | #87 | #271 | ||
| 1978 | #130 | #116 | #230 | ||
| 1979 | #138 | #133 | #215 | ||
| 1980 | #147 | #143 | #178 | ||
| 1981 | #144 | #202 | #222 | ||
| 1982 | #146 | #195 | #259 | ||
| 1983 | #150 | #149 | #232 | ||
| 1984 | #155 | #318 | #253 | ||
| 1985 | #155 | #291 | #235 | ||
| 1986 | #162 | #316 | #211 | ||
| 1987 | #149 | #367 | |||
| 1988 | #159 | #387 | #309 | ||
| 1989 | #158 | #274 | |||
| 1990 | #169 | #305 | |||
| 1991 | #193 | #529 | #196 | ||
| 1992 | #196 | #306 | #206 | ||
| 1993 | #200 | #267 | #252 | ||
| 1994 | #230 | #284 | #264 | ||
| 1995 | #242 | #312 | #291 | ||
| 1996 | #233 | #297 | #351 | ||
| 1997 | #276 | #599 | #402 | ||
| 1998 | #327 | #986 | #399 | ||
| 1999 | #297 | #902 | #281 | #454 | |
| 2000 | #308 | #333 | #594 | ||
| 2001 | #346 | #629 | #482 | ||
| 2002 | #365 | #650 | #512 | ||
| 2003 | #430 | #680 | |||
| 2004 | #418 | #534 | |||
| 2005 | #489 | #670 | |||
| 2006 | #517 | #834 | |||
| 2007 | #606 | #934 | |||
| 2008 | #678 | #934 | |||
| 2009 | #683 | #921 | |||
| 2010 | #736 | ||||
| 2011 | #742 | #964 | |||
| 2012 | #765 | #934 | |||
| 2013 | #785 | ||||
| 2014 | #747 | ||||
| 2015 | #748 | ||||
| 2016 | #809 | ||||
| 2017 | #833 | ||||
| 2018 | #866 | ||||
| 2019 | #936 | ||||
| 2020 | #947 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · New Zealand · Ireland · Canada
Variations of Name Carolyn
Names Similar to Carolyn
Nicknames for Carolyn
- Carol
- Carrie
- Lyn
- Lynn
Famous People Named Carolyn
| Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy | Model, wife of John F. Kennedy Jr |
| Carolyn Jones | Actress, known for her role as Morticia Addams in "The Addams Family" |
| Carolyn Hax | Columnist, writes the "Dear Carolyn" advice column |
| Carolyn Porco | Planetary scientist, known for her work on NASA's Cassini mission |
| Carolyn Lawrence | Voice actress, voiced Sandy Cheeks in "SpongeBob SquarePants" |
| Carolyn Murphy | Model and actress |
| Carolyn Davidson | Graphic designer, creator of the Nike Swoosh logo |
| Carolyn Kizer | Pulitzer Prize-winning poet |
| Carolyn Maloney | U.S. Congresswoman |
| Carolyn Bennett | Canadian Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations |
| Carolyn Goodman | Mayor of Las Vegas |
| Carolyn Peck | Former basketball player and coach |
| Carolyn Waldo | Canadian synchronized swimmer, Olympic gold medalist |
| Carolyn Sampson | British soprano |
| Carolyn Wonderland | Blues singer and musician |
| Carolyn Jessop | Author, escaped from a polygamous sect |
| Carolyn Meyer | Author of historical fiction for young adults |
| Carolyn Merchant | Environmental historian |
| Carolyn Jarvis | Canadian journalist and TV news anchor |
| Carolyn Choa | Choreographer and filmmaker |
Characters Named Carolyn
| Carolyn Stoddard | Dark Shadows |
| Carolyn Martens | Killing Eve |
| Carolyn Farina | Metropolitan |
| Carolyn Perron | The Conjuring |
| Carolyn Burnham | American Beauty |
| Carolyn Bigsby | Desperate Housewives |
| Carolyn Maxwell | Halloween II |
| Carolyn Lam | Stargate SG-1 |
| Carolyn Barek | Law & Order - Criminal Intent |
| Carolyn Fry | Pitch Black |
| Carolyn Shelby | Gone Girl |
| Carolyn Plummer | Twin Peaks |
| Carolyn Warmus | A Woman Scorned - The Betty Broderick Story |
| Carolyn Rothstein | Boardwalk Empire |
| Carolyn Lance | DC Comics |
| Carolyn Connor | The Terminator |
| Carolyn Tyler | Proof |
| Carolyn Shepherd | Grey's Anatomy |
| Carolyn Smith | The Strangers |
| Carolyn Roth | The Good Wife |