Find out how popular the first name Carin has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Carin by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Carin is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 97% of people named Carin being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 23 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Carin.

It's also interesting to see that despite Carin being historically a mostly female name, the most recent data from 2023 shows a shift in the trend, with more male babies being named Carin.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 23 baby boys were named Carin in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Carin

The name Carin has its origins in the Germanic languages, derived from the Old Norse word "kara," meaning "beloved" or "dear one." It is a diminutive form of the name Karen, which has similar roots and meanings.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Carin can be found in the Scandinavian countries, where it was a popular name during the Viking era. It is believed to have been used as a feminine form of the Old Norse name Karén, which was a masculine name derived from the same root word.

In the medieval period, the name Carin gained popularity in various parts of Europe, particularly in the Germanic and Scandinavian regions. It was often associated with nobility and royalty, as evidenced by its appearance in historical records and genealogies.

One notable historical figure bearing the name Carin was Carin Nilsdotter, a Swedish noblewoman who lived in the 15th century. She was the wife of Nils Gädda, a prominent Swedish statesman and military commander during the Kalmar Union period.

Another famous Carin was Carin Göring, the first wife of Hermann Göring, a leading member of the Nazi Party and one of the most powerful figures in the Third Reich. She was born in 1888 and passed away in 1931, before the rise of the Nazi regime.

In the literary world, Carin Gerhardsen was a Swedish crime fiction writer who gained prominence in the late 20th century. Her most notable work was the Hammarby Series, featuring the detective Conny Sjöberg. She was born in 1962 and passed away in 2022.

Carin Teruzzi was an Italian-Swedish artist and sculptor known for her abstract and minimalist works. She was born in 1958 and has had her work exhibited in various galleries and museums around the world.

Carin Muhr, born in 1953, is a Swedish politician and former member of the Riksdag (Swedish parliament). She served as the leader of the Centre Party from 1995 to 2001 and played a significant role in Swedish politics during that period.

While the name Carin has its roots in the Germanic and Scandinavian regions, it has also gained popularity in other parts of the world, particularly in English-speaking countries, where it is sometimes used as a variant spelling of the more common name Karen.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Carin was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Carin, please contact us.

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