Carolyn
Carolyn is a girl name of Germanic, via English origin, meaning “Free woman”.
| Meaning | Free woman |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Germanic, via English |
| Pronunciation | KAR-uh-lin |
| Tradition | Modern & Classic |
| Used in | United States, United Kingdom |
Meaning and origin of Carolyn
Carolyn is an English form of Caroline, the feminine of Carolus, the Latin form of Charles. Charles comes from a Germanic word meaning 'man' or 'free man', so Carolyn is often explained as 'free woman'. It peaked in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s. Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy is one well-known bearer. Its spelling with -lyn gave it a distinctly American feel compared with the older Caroline.
Is Carolyn a religious name?
Carolyn has no particular religious background; it is a classic English name derived from Charles.
How popular is Carolyn?
Mainly found among women born in mid-century America; rarely chosen for babies now.
Gifts with the name Carolyn
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Spellings and variants of Carolyn
Names similar to Carolyn
More girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Carolyn mean?
Carolyn means 'Free woman'. It is of Germanic, via English origin.
Does Carolyn have a religious meaning?
Carolyn has no particular religious background; it is a classic English name derived from Charles.
How do you pronounce Carolyn?
Carolyn is pronounced KAR-uh-lin.
Is Carolyn a boy or girl name?
Carolyn is usually a girl name.