Carolynn is a name of English origin, derived from the male name Carl, which is ultimately derived from the Germanic name Karl. The name Carl is composed of two elements: karal- meaning "strength" or "power," and -mann meaning "man." Therefore, Carolynn can be interpreted as "strong man," although it is often associated with femininity due to its popularity as a female name.
The name Carolynn gained popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century. It reached its peak popularity during the 1960s and 1970s, ranking among the top 500 names for girls each year between 1960 and 1978. Although its usage has declined since then, it remains a recognizable name with historical significance.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Carolynn or variations thereof. One prominent example is Carol Lynn Pearson, an American playwright, poet, and author known for her work on Mormon themes. Another notable figure is Carol Lynn Weaver, an American actress who appeared in numerous television shows and films during the 1970s and 1980s.
In literature and popular culture, the name Carolynn has been used as a character name in various works. For instance, it appears as the given name of one of the main characters in the novel "The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers. Additionally, several songs featuring the name Carolynn have been released over the years, including "Carol Lynn" by The Everly Brothers and "Carolyn" by The Beach Boys.
Overall, Carolynn is an English name with a strong historical presence, derived from the Germanic name Carl meaning "strong man." Its popularity peaked during the mid-20th century in the United States, and it has been associated with various notable figures throughout history.
The name Carolynn has been given to babies born in the United States since at least 1917, with a total of 6,366 babies receiving this name up until 2023. The popularity of the name Carolynn fluctuated significantly throughout the years.
In the early decades, from 1917 to 1950, there were periods where Carolynn was quite popular, reaching peaks such as 169 births in 1942 and 168 births in 1947. However, during these years, it was not uncommon for the number of babies named Carolynn to drop below 50 in certain years.
Starting from the late 1950s, there was a steady decline in the popularity of the name Carolynn. This trend continued into the 1960s and 1970s, with fewer than 100 babies being named Carolynn per year during these decades. The lowest point came in 1985 when only 37 babies were given this name.
Despite its declining popularity as a given name, Carolynn has maintained some level of presence among baby names throughout the years. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, there was a slight resurgence in its usage, with around 40 to 60 babies being named Carolynn annually.
Recently, from 2015 onwards, there has been another dip in popularity for this name, with fewer than 50 babies named Carolynn each year. However, it is still given to some newborns every year up until the present day.
Overall, while Carolynn was once a popular baby girl's name in the United States, its usage has significantly decreased over time. Nevertheless, it continues to be chosen for a small number of newborn girls annually.