Carlyn

Irish

"little champion"

Carlyn Origin and Meaning

The name Carlyn is a girl's name.

Carlyn is a feminine name combining elements of Carol and Lynn, though it can also be considered a variant of Caroline or Carolyn. With Germanic origins, it relates to the root 'karl' meaning 'free man' or 'strong,' adapted to feminine usage. This streamlined spelling emerged in the mid-20th century as parents sought alternatives to more traditional forms. Carlyn offers a modern, simplified approach while maintaining connections to classical naming traditions. The name has maintained modest but consistent usage in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States. With its strong consonants balanced by the soft ending, Carlyn strikes a pleasing balance between strength and femininity. The name works well in professional settings while avoiding the more common variations of Caroline that might result in duplicate names in social or work environments.

Carlyn Rank in US Top 1000

# 965 in the US

Famous People Named Carlyn

• Caroline Elizabeth "Carlyn" Chisholm Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen, British life peer
• Carlyn Kruger Canadian skier