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

Popularity of Carolynn by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Carolynn is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 35 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Carolynn.

The history of the first name Carolynn

Carolynn is an English feminine given name derived from the Germanic name Karlina, which is a diminutive form of Karl, meaning "free man" or "peasant farmer." The name gained popularity in the Middle Ages and has its roots in the Frankish language spoken by the Franks, a Germanic tribe that ruled much of Western Europe from the 5th to the 9th centuries.

The earliest recorded use of the name Carolynn dates back to the 12th century, when it appeared in various medieval records and documents. It was particularly popular among the nobility and aristocracy of England and France during this period. One notable bearer of the name was Carolynn of Anjou, a French noblewoman born in 1182, who was known for her patronage of the arts and literature.

In the 16th century, the name Carolynn gained further prominence with the birth of Carolynn of Brandenburg (1516-1567), a German princess and Duchess of Lüneburg. She played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation and was a staunch supporter of Martin Luther's teachings.

Another famous bearer of the name was Carolynn Herschel (1750-1848), a German-British astronomer and the first woman to be paid for her contributions to science. She discovered several comets and made important contributions to the study of astronomy.

In the 19th century, Carolynn Wilkins (1832-1901), an American suffragist and activist for women's rights, was a prominent figure in the fight for women's suffrage in the United States.

The 20th century saw the rise of Carolynn Bessette (1966-1999), an American publicist and the wife of John F. Kennedy Jr. She gained widespread media attention for her fashion sense and tragic death in a plane crash with her husband.

While the name Carolynn has been used throughout history, it has remained a relatively uncommon choice in recent decades, giving it a unique and timeless quality.

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 Carolynn was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!