The name Karelin is of Russian origin and means "strong, hardworking". It's composed of the elements "kara" meaning "strong, tough" and "-lin", a suffix used to form patronymics. Karelin is typically a male given name and can be found in the Slavic regions such as Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Poland. In some cases, it might also be encountered in other Slavic countries or communities with significant Russian influence.
The name Karelin appears to have experienced popularity fluctuations over the years, with a notable peak in 2008 when it was given to seven newborns.