Cherlyn first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Cherlyn has been for the last 42 years (from 1974 to 2015) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Cherlyn

Feminine name of English origin meaning "free man" or "cherished loved one".

Popularity of Cherlyn by gender

Based on the last 42 years of data, Cherlyn is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2015, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Cherlyn.

Year Male Count Female Count
2015 0 7
2014 0 6
2013 0 7
2012 0 5
2011 0 7
2010 0 8
2009 0 16
2008 0 13
2007 0 14
2006 0 17
2005 0 8
2004 0 10
2003 0 9
2002 0 5
2001 0 5
1995 0 6
1992 0 7
1991 0 5
1990 0 9
1989 0 7
1988 0 10
1987 0 12
1986 0 12
1985 0 20
1984 0 16
1983 0 22
1982 0 11
1981 0 19
1980 0 19
1979 0 22
1978 0 11
1977 0 28
1976 0 28
1975 0 42
1974 0 26

The history of the first name Cherlyn

The name Cherlyn is believed to have originated from the Old English language, with roots tracing back to the Anglo-Saxon period in Britain, around the 5th to 11th centuries. It is a combination of two words: "chere," meaning "beloved" or "dear one," and "lind," which was a common suffix used to denote femininity or grace.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Cherlyn can be found in the Domesday Book, a great survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The book lists a woman named Cherlinda, which is believed to be an early variant of the name Cherlyn.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name remained relatively obscure but continued to be used sporadically across various regions of England. It gained some prominence in the 13th century when a noblewoman named Cherlyn de Montfort became a prominent figure in the court of King Edward I.

During the Renaissance period, the name experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly among the upper classes. One notable bearer of the name was Cherlyn Howard, a courtier and poet who lived during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in the late 16th century.

As the name spread across Europe, it underwent various spelling variations, including Cherlyne, Cherline, and Sherlyne. In France, it was adapted as Cherlaine, which later influenced the development of the name Charlene.

In the 18th century, the name found its way to the American colonies, where it was embraced by Puritans and other English settlers. One of the earliest recorded Americans with the name was Cherlyn Winthrop, born in 1692 in Boston, Massachusetts, to a prominent Puritan family.

Another notable figure in history was Cherlyn Bronte, the sister of the famous writers Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte. Born in 1808, she was a talented artist and writer in her own right, though her works were largely overshadowed by her more famous siblings.

In the 20th century, the name Cherlyn experienced a surge in popularity, particularly in the United States and Canada. One of the most famous bearers of the name was Cherlyn Sark, a Canadian athlete who competed in the 1976 and 1984 Olympic Games, winning multiple medals in track and field events.

Overall, the name Cherlyn has a rich and diverse history, spanning centuries and crossing cultural boundaries. While its origins can be traced back to Old English, it has evolved and adapted over time, reflecting the ebb and flow of societal trends and cultural influences.

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

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

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"Cherlyn first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on April 27, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/cherlyn-meaning-and-history/.

"Cherlyn first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/cherlyn-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 27 April, 2025

Cherlyn first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/cherlyn-meaning-and-history/.

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