Meaning & Origin
A female given name from the Germanic languages, a variant of Caroline used since the 19th century.
Carolyn is a girl's and boy's baby name of Germanic origin, an American variant of Caroline, ultimately from the Germanic root karl, meaning "free man" or "strong." It became popular as a softer, more informal alternative to the more formal Caroline in the 19th century.
Carolyn hit peak popularity in the 1940s and 1950s in the United States. Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, admired for her striking elegance, gave the name an air of sophisticated cool in the 1990s. Its gentle three-syllable rhythm feels warm and understated — a name that never shouts but always makes an impression.