Karolyn
Karolyn is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Free person.
Origin and history
Karolyn is an American spelling variant of Carolyn, derived from the Germanic name Charles, which means 'free man'. It emerged in the mid-20th century as a stylized alternative to traditional spellings. In the United States, it is a moderately used name with steady, low-volume annual usage.
Popularity in the United States
5,957 babies in the United States have been named Karolyn since 1880. It ranks #2209 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1990.
States where it is most popular
- CA (19.4 %)
- TX (11.9 %)
- MI (10.9 %)
- NY (10 %)
- IA (7.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 47 |
| 1920-1930 | 111 |
| 1930-1940 | 472 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,355 |
| 1950-1960 | 791 |
| 1960-1970 | 869 |
| 1970-1980 | 651 |
| 1980-1990 | 470 |
| 1990-2000 | 468 |
| 2000-2010 | 360 |
| 2010-2019 | 252 |
| 2020-2029 | 111 |
Famous people named Karolyn
- Karolyn Grimes: Actress
Nicknames
Carrie, Lyn, Karo
Fun facts
- Karolyn developed in the mid-20th century alongside popular trends substituting 'K' for 'C'.
- It ultimately derives from Carolus, the Latinized form of Charles borne by Charlemagne and many monarchs.