Carolyn
Peaked at #10 nationally in 1942, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Carolyn has been recorded >99% of the time for girls and <1% of the time for boys.
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Carolyn — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#10
in 1942
Current rank
#1163
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Carolyn reached its peak popularity for girls in 1942, ranking #10 nationally with 19,977 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #747 (2014) to #1163 (2024) — a 36% drop.
As of 2024, Carolyn ranks #1163 nationally for girls, with 206 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #1,163 | 206 |
| 2023 | #1,084 | 228 |
| 2022 | #1,239 | 194 |
| 2021 | #1,129 | 218 |
| 2020 | #947 | 270 |
| 2019 | #936 | 282 |
| 2018 | #865 | 313 |
| 2017 | #833 | 326 |
Carolyn — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#741
in 1943
Last ranked
#7941
in 1995
Years tracked
71
1915–1995
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1915, Carolyn reached its peak popularity for boys in 1943, ranking #741 nationally with 76 babies given the name that year.
Carolyn hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for boys since 1995, when it stood at #7941.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | #7,941 | 6 |
| 1991 | #6,609 | 7 |
| 1990 | #5,438 | 9 |
| 1989 | #3,338 | 17 |
| 1988 | #5,266 | 8 |
| 1987 | #4,002 | 11 |
| 1986 | #3,914 | 11 |
| 1985 | #4,088 | 10 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was Carolyn most popular?
Carolyn was most popular in 1942, when it ranked #10 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Carolyn becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Carolyn?
At least 558,213 babies have been recorded with the name Carolyn in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Carolyn? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.