Given name
Carolynn
“a joyous song; a small, strong woman”
Carolynn is a variant of Caroline. In Latin use, Caroline carries the interpretation “a joyous song; a small, strong woman.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Carolynn is a variant of Caroline. In Latin use, Caroline carries the interpretation “a joyous song; a small, strong woman.”
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1917. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Carolynn through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 6,453
- 0 boys · 6,453 girls
- Most popular year
- 1942
- 169 babies
- 2025
- 45
- #3,409 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −13%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 45 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 3,409 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 12.8% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 169 in 1942. In 2025, Minnesota had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (5). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 5,178 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.
Carolynn’s family of names
Carolynn has a related form in Caroline.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 3
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Carolynn, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Karolyn
>99% girls
Carolyn
“a joyous song; a small, strong woman” · “the little champion”
>99% girls
Carolyne
“a joyous song; a small, strong woman”
>99% girls
Carole
“a joyous song; a small, strong woman”
>99% girls
Carolann
“a joyous song; a small, strong woman”
>99% girls
Kathlyn
>99% girls
Carol
“a joyous song; a small, strong woman” · “a free man”
>99% girls
Marylin
>99% girls