Karolyn is a feminine given name of German origin. It is derived from the male name Carolus, which means "freeholder" or "strong." The name Karolyn has been used as a female given name since the Middle Ages.
In medieval times, Karolyn was often used as a diminutive form of Caroline or Carlotta. However, it eventually became established as an independent feminine given name in its own right. Today, Karolyn is still relatively uncommon, but it can be found throughout Europe and North America.
The name Karolyn has been associated with several notable historical figures. One of the most famous was Karoline von Günderrode, a German Romantic poet who lived in the early 19th century. Von Günderrode was known for her passionate and introspective poetry, which explored themes of love, death, and the supernatural.
In popular culture, Karolyn has been used as a character name in various films and television shows. For example, it was the given name of one of the main characters in the 2003 horror film "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." However, despite its occasional appearance in pop culture, Karolyn remains a relatively uncommon name overall.
Overall, Karolyn is a unique and historic feminine given name with German origins. While it may not be as well-known as some other female names, Karolyn has a rich history and several notable historical figures associated with it.
Based on the annual birth statistics for the name Karolyn in the United States from 1912 to 2023, we can observe several trends and patterns over time.
The name Karolyn first appeared with 6 births in 1912. The following year, there were only 5 births, indicating that the name may not have been immediately popular upon its introduction. However, it experienced a slight increase to 6 births again in 1915 and remained relatively stable over the next few years, ranging between 5 and 7 births annually.
Starting from the late 1920s, there was a noticeable increase in the number of Karolyn births each year. In 1933, there were 45 births, marking a significant rise compared to previous years. This upward trend continued throughout the 1930s and early 1940s, reaching a peak of 167 births in 1946.
After this peak, the number of Karolyn births began to decline gradually. In 1950, there were still 92 births, but by 1958, that number had fallen to 65. This downward trend continued into the 1960s and 1970s, with annual birth counts ranging between 39 and 109.
The popularity of the name Karolyn fluctuated throughout the late 20th century. It experienced a brief resurgence in the early 1980s, with 55 births in 1981 and 53 births in 1982, but subsequently declined again to as low as 19 births in 2011.
In recent years, the name Karolyn has seen a slight increase in popularity. From 2016 onwards, there have been between 15 and 36 births each year, suggesting that the name may be experiencing renewed interest among parents choosing names for their daughters.
Overall, the birth statistics for the name Karolyn in the United States show a pattern of initial growth followed by periods of stability or decline. While it has not consistently ranked among the most popular names, Karolyn has maintained a steady presence as a given name for girls over the course of more than a century.