How Many People Are Named Carlyn?

Complete statistics for the name Carlyn: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.

Carlyn
Very Rare
Germanic

Carlyn has a very unique sound and is quite rare, with only 4,361 births across all time in the US. It's so uncommon that you'd meet just one Carlyn for every 96,132 Americans. And while it peaked in 1994 with 78 births, most people named Carlyn are actually over 60, making it a name from another era.

~3,433
Living in US
1 in 96,132
Americans
1994
Peak Year

📖 Meaning & Origin

💬
Meaning
Free woman
🌐
Origin
Germanic
🔢
Numerology
Life Path 1
Personality Traits
Independent Warm Determined
1
Life Path Number

The number 1 in numerology represents leadership, independence, and a pioneering spirit. People connected to this number tend to be self-starters who forge their own path with confidence and ambition.

🌍 Worldwide Usage

3,433
Worldwide Bearers
#74,345
Global Rank
🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea
32
🇲🇾 Malaysia
25
🇯🇲 Jamaica
18
🇩🇪 Germany
16
🇶🇦 Qatar
15
🇿🇲 Zambia
10
🇭🇹 Haiti
9
🇸🇬 Singapore
6
🇧🇷 Brazil
6
🇳🇬 Nigeria
6

⚥ Gender Distribution

♂ Male
19 (1%)
♀ Female
3,413 (99%)

📊 Births by Age Group

Avg Cohort Age: 54
1,029
Would be under 30 (24%)
1,507
Would be 30–60 (35%)
1,825
Would be over 60 (42%)

All 4,361 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).

📈 Popularity Over Time

Peak: 1994

Annual US births from SSA records  ·  Trend: Declining

🏆 Name Scorecard

Popularity
95
Classic Feel
44
Modern Appeal
66
International
5

Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency

📜 Carlyn Through the Generations

The name Carlyn has a rich history, peaking in 1994 with 78 births, but now only 3,433 people are living with this name in the US. This stark difference between past popularity and current numbers is quite telling. The majority, 42%, are over 60, indicating a strong older generation presence. Interestingly, the average age of 54 suggests a mix of older and younger individuals, with 1,029 under 30 and 1,507 aged 30-60. Despite the declining trend, the name still holds a certain charm, being both classic and modern, bridging different eras.

📍 State Distribution (Top 10)

California 242
Texas 123
Pennsylvania 58
New York 49
Illinois 37
Virginia 34
Maryland 31
Florida 22
Washington 20
Ohio 18

🌿 Related Names by Origin

Other names sharing Carlyn's Germanic roots

📄 About the Name Carlyn

How Many People Have the Name Carlyn?

Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 3,433 people in the United States currently share the name Carlyn. That works out to roughly 1 in every 96,132 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.

Is Carlyn a Common or Rare Name?

Carlyn is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.

What Does the Name Carlyn Mean?

Carlyn means "Free woman" and comes from Germanic origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 1.

Gender Breakdown

Of all recorded bearers of Carlyn in SSA data, approximately 1% are male and 99% are female.

When Was Carlyn Most Popular?

The name Carlyn reached peak popularity in 1994, with 78 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.

How Is This Data Calculated?

All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are named Carlyn?

Approximately 3,433 people named Carlyn live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 4,361. That works out to roughly 1 in 96,132 Americans.

Is Carlyn a rare name?

Carlyn is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 96,132 Americans has this name.

What does the name Carlyn mean?

Carlyn means "Free woman" and comes from Germanic origins.

Is Carlyn more male or female?

Based on SSA records, 1% of people named Carlyn are male and 99% are female.

When was Carlyn most popular?

Carlyn peaked in 1994 with 78 births that year. Current trend: Declining.

How accurate are these statistics?

All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.

Disclaimer: All results are statistical estimates based on aggregated SSA birth records and modeling. Not exact counts of individuals. Data source: SSA National Baby Names dataset.
Quick Stats
Living in US3,433
All-Time Births4,361
1 in X1 in 96,132
RarityVery Rare
GenderFemale
Avg Age54
Peak Year1994
World Rank#74,345
Male %1%
Female %99%

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Data Source

Powered by the SSA National Baby Names dataset, birth registrations from 1880 to present.

All counts are statistical estimates. See the methodology page.