Given name
Carlyn
“a free woman”
Carlyn is a variant of Carla. In Latin use, Carla carries the interpretation “a free woman.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Carlyn is a variant of Carla. In Latin use, Carla carries the interpretation “a free woman.”
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1900. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Carlyn through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 4,373
- 67 boys · 4,306 girls
- Most popular year
- 1994
- 78 babies
- 2025
- 12
- #8,462 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −55%
- Cooling
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 12 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 8,462 among girls’ names. The recent annual counts are too incomplete to establish a ten-year comparison. Its largest published annual count for girls was 74 in 1992. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 3,797 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Carlyn’s family of names
Carlyn has a related form in Carla. In English usage, Carlyn has a related form in Carly.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 6
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Carlyn, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Katelyn
“one who is pure; virginal”
>99% girls
Camryn
“crooked nose”
14% boys · 86% girls
Carina
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Kaitlyn
“one who is pure; virginal”
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Kaci
“a vigilant man; one who is alert” · “a vigilant woman”
7% boys · 93% girls
Kacie
“vigilant, wakeful” · “a vigilant woman”
2% boys · 98% girls
Katia
“one who is pure; virginal”
>99% girls
Katarina
“one who is pure; virginal”
>99% girls