Carlyn
Every Carlyn since 1900 — 4,373 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Carlyn
Carlyn is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #8,462 in 2025 with 12 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1900, 4,373 American babies have been named Carlyn. Its peak came in 1994, when 78 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Carlyn stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Carlyn year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | #8,462 | — | — |
| 2024 | 18 | #6,449 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | 14 | #7,716 | — | — |
| 2021 | 10 | #9,693 | — | — |
| 2020 | 23 | #5,356 | — | — |
| 2019 | 20 | #6,025 | — | — |
| 2018 | 20 | #6,066 | — | — |
| 2017 | 28 | #4,830 | — | — |
| 2016 | 28 | #4,884 | — | — |
| 2015 | 31 | #4,513 | — | — |
| 2014 | 33 | #4,374 | — | — |
| 2013 | 38 | #3,938 | — | — |
| 2012 | 38 | #4,002 | — | — |
| 2011 | 33 | #4,381 | — | — |
| 2010 | 33 | #4,413 | — | — |
| 2009 | 44 | #3,630 | — | — |
| 2008 | 44 | #3,657 | — | — |
| 2007 | 45 | #3,612 | — | — |
| 2006 | 42 | #3,680 | — | — |
| 2005 | 46 | #3,324 | — | — |
| 2004 | 57 | #2,816 | — | — |
| 2003 | 48 | #3,090 | — | — |
| 2002 | 56 | #2,716 | — | — |
| 2001 | 57 | #2,641 | — | — |
| 2000 | 66 | #2,340 | — | — |
| 1995 | 58 | #2,284 | — | — |
| 1990 | 55 | #2,295 | — | — |
| 1985 | 69 | #1,681 | — | — |
| 1980 | 38 | #2,492 | — | — |
| 1975 | 44 | #1,993 | — | — |
| 1970 | 42 | #1,986 | — | — |
| 1965 | 50 | #1,577 | — | — |
| 1960 | 39 | #1,812 | — | — |
| 1955 | 42 | #1,580 | — | — |
| 1950 | 50 | #1,295 | — | — |
| 1945 | 47 | #1,143 | — | — |
| 1940 | 34 | #1,275 | 5 | #3,525 |
| 1935 | 24 | #1,514 | — | — |
| 1930 | 38 | #1,211 | — | — |
| 1925 | 19 | #2,036 | — | — |
| 1920 | 16 | #2,287 | — | — |
| 1915 | 15 | #2,061 | — | — |
| 1910 | 5 | #2,465 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | 5 | #1,972 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Carlyn in 2025?
Carlyn ranked #8,462 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 12 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Carlyn?
4,373 babies have been named Carlyn in the United States since 1900, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Carlyn most popular?
Carlyn peaked in 1994, when 78 newborns received the name.
Is Carlyn a boy or girl name?
Carlyn is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 98% of babies with the name.
Is the name Carlyn rising or falling?
Carlyn is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.