Carolyn
Pronunciation: [ k-EHR-uhl-ihn ]
Does Carolyn flow with your last name?
A distinctive boy name with a rare, memorable quality.
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
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Browse nicknames →Historical Record
Carolyn first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 764 babies have been named Carolyn in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Carolyn is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #19,143 for boy names in the US .
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Popularity Rank
- #19,143
- Total SSA Count
- 6
Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Carolyn is also used as a girl name, ranked #1166.
View Carolyn as a girl name →Similar Names
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View all →Norse mythology origin
"the day (personified deity)"
#19,315 in US
French origin
"desired, longed for"
#19,117 in US
Irish Gaelic origin
"Little fire (as variant of Aidan)"
#19,000 in US
Armenian origin
"patriarch of the Armenian people"
#19,161 in US
Old English dun meaning hill origin
"from the hill settlement, dweller by ..."
#19,284 in US
Arabic via English origin
"diminutive of Sharif (noble)"
#19,136 in US
English origin
#19,124 in US
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Frequently Asked Questions About Carolyn
Is Carolyn a boy or girl name?
How do you pronounce Carolyn?
How popular is the name Carolyn?
What are common nicknames for Carolyn?
Is Carolyn a common or rare name?
About the Name Carolyn
Carolyn is a boy name .
Is Carolyn a boy or girl name? Carolyn is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #19,143 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #1,166. Carolyn is more commonly used as a girl name.
Carolyn is currently ranked #19,143 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
Common nicknames for Carolyn include Car, Caro, Caroy, Caroie, Lyn, Lyny, Lynie, Cay, Caie, and Carkins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Recommended for Parents
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Baby Name Wizard
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Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis