Caryl is a unique and distinctive given name of Welsh origin. It is derived from the Welsh male name Caradog, which is composed of the elements "caer" meaning "love" or "battle" and "dog" meaning "enemy." Thus, Caryl can be translated to mean "loving enemy" or "battle enemy."
The name Caryl has a rich history in Welsh mythology. Caradog was a legendary figure who played a significant role in the early Celtic lore of Wales. He was said to have been the son of King Meurig and the brother of Princess Nest, who is famous for her role in the tale of the Last Invasion of Wales.
Despite its masculine origins, Caryl has been used as a given name for both boys and girls in recent years. It is often spelled in various ways, such as Cariad, Caraline, or Caryllyn, to reflect the different meanings associated with the name's components.
In terms of popularity, Caryl is not one of the most common names in Wales or England. According to data from the United Kingdom's Office for National Statistics, only a handful of babies are given this name each year. However, it remains a distinctive and meaningful choice for parents looking for a unique name with a strong historical and cultural heritage.
Overall, Caryl is an interesting and uncommon given name with a rich history in Welsh mythology and culture. Its unique origins and meaning make it a compelling option for parents seeking a distinctive name for their child.
The name Caryl has seen a varied trend of popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1896 and 1996, there were a total of 6,347 babies named Caryl born in the U.S.
From 1896 to 1920, the number of births each year fluctuated between 5 and 41. The year with the highest number of births during this period was 1920 with 41 births. However, starting from 1923, there was a significant increase in popularity, with over 75 births recorded that year.
The peak of popularity for the name Caryl occurred between the years 1928 and 1936, with the highest number of births in 1934 at 150. This high level of popularity persisted until around 1940, after which it began to gradually decrease.
From 1947 to 1959, there were consistently over 100 births each year for babies named Caryl. However, the trend declined sharply in the following decades, with fewer than 30 births per year from 1962 onwards.
The lowest point in popularity was reached in the early 1980s, with only single-digit numbers of births each year between 1979 and 1984. From 1985 to 1996, there were no more than 13 births per year for babies named Caryl.
Overall, while Caryl was once a popular name in the United States, its popularity has significantly declined over time. Despite this, it remains an uncommon yet distinctive name choice.