Carlyn is a unique and captivating female given name of Welsh origin. It is derived from the Welsh word "carreg," which means "rock." The name Carlyn has a strong and steadfast connotation, much like its namesake element.
The earliest known use of the name Carlyn can be traced back to Wales in the Middle Ages. However, it did not gain widespread popularity until the late 19th century when it began to appear more frequently in English-speaking countries.
Today, Carlyn is still considered a rare and distinctive name, but its unique sound and meaning continue to make it an attractive choice for parents looking for something unusual yet meaningful for their daughter.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Carlyn has experienced a varied history of popularity in the United States over the past century.
The earliest data available begins in 1900 with five births recorded that year, followed by another five births in 1904. The number of annual births with the name Carlyn then fluctuated between five and sixteen until reaching a peak of 38 births in 1930. This period marked the beginning of a general upward trend in popularity for the name.
From 1936 to 1957, there were consistently more than 20 births per year with the name Carlyn, with peaks reaching as high as 68 births in 1942 and 58 births in 1947. However, this trend began to decline in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with fewer than 50 births per year recorded.
The name Carlyn's popularity began to rise again in the mid-1970s, reaching a high of 74 births in 1992. However, this trend was short-lived, as the number of annual births with the name Carlyn began to decline once more in the late 1990s.
Between 2000 and 2018, there were consistently fewer than 50 births per year with the name Carlyn, with a low of ten births recorded in 2021. In recent years, however, the popularity of the name has begun to rise again, with 23 births recorded in 2020 and 14 births in 2022.
Overall, while the name Carlyn has experienced periods of both popularity and decline over the past century, it remains a relatively uncommon name in the United States. With only 4,276 total births recorded since 1900, Carlyn is certainly not one of the most popular names of all time. However, its unique sound and spelling may contribute to its enduring appeal for some parents seeking a distinctive name for their child.