Carly
Carly is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Free person.
Origin and history
Carly is an English feminine name originating as a diminutive of Carla or Caroline, which trace back to the Germanic root meaning 'free person.' It gained widespread popularity in the United States during the late 20th century. Although its usage has moderated in recent years, it remains a recognizable and friendly classic.
Popularity in the United States
66,466 babies in the United States have been named Carly since 1880. It ranks #497 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #736.
States where it is most popular
- CA (9.9 %)
- PA (6.8 %)
- NY (6.6 %)
- TX (5.6 %)
- OH (5.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 24 |
| 1960-1970 | 7 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,980 |
| 1980-1990 | 12,475 |
| 1990-2000 | 22,791 |
| 2000-2010 | 16,688 |
| 2010-2019 | 9,300 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,201 |
Famous people named Carly
- Carly Simon: Singer, Songwriter
- Carly Rae Jepsen: Singer, Songwriter
- Carly Fiorina: Business Executive, Politician
Fun facts
- Carly is ultimately a feminine form of Carl or Charles, derived from the Old High German word 'karl' meaning free person.
- The name saw a notable bump in U.S. usage following the success of singer-songwriter Carly Simon in the 1970s and 1980s.