Karolyn: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	47	5	–	#2,594
1920s	111	11	+136%	#2,120
1930s	472	47	+325%	#664
1940s	1,355	136	+187%	#571
1950s	791	79	-42%	#930
1960s	869	87	+10%	#997
1970s	651	65	-25%	#1,318
1980s	470	47	-28%	#1,944
1990s	468	47	0%	#2,142
2000s	360	36	-23%	#3,278
2010s	252	25	-30%	#4,033
2020s (to 2025)	111	19	-27%	#5,550

Decade

Girls

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

#2,594

1920s

111

+136%

#2,120

1930s

472

+325%

#664

1940s

1,355

136

+187%

#571

1950s

791

-42%

#930

1960s

869

+10%

#997

1970s

651

-25%

#1,318

1980s

470

-28%

#1,944

1990s

468

#2,142

2000s

360

-23%

#3,278

2010s

252

-30%

#4,033

2020s (to 2025)

111

-27%

#5,550

The story of Karolyn

Karolyn is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #6,436 in 2025 with 18 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1912, 5,957 American babies have been named Karolyn. Its peak came in 1946, when 167 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1940s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Karolyn stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Karolyn?

The median living Karolyn is about 57 years old; half are between 35 and 73. An estimated 4,700 people named Karolyn are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Karolyn year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank
2025	18	#6,436
2024	22	#5,705
2023	15	#7,445
2022	23	#5,550
2021	16	#7,105
2020	17	#6,772
2019	13	#8,362
2018	36	#4,033
2017	27	#4,994
2016	24	#5,531
2015	20	#6,344
2014	30	#4,708
2013	32	#4,488
2012	25	#5,475
2011	19	#6,718
2010	26	#5,323
2009	29	#5,009
2008	28	#5,209
2007	44	#3,683
2006	38	#3,958
2005	44	#3,437
2004	40	#3,665
2003	31	#4,260
2002	32	#4,032
2001	42	#3,278
2000	32	#3,935
1995	50	#2,534
1990	56	#2,271
1985	48	#2,193
1980	39	#2,459
1975	62	#1,595
1970	81	#1,318
1965	109	#997
1960	70	#1,320
1955	60	#1,304
1950	92	#930
1945	132	#635
1940	107	#671
1935	41	#1,091
1930	17	#2,068
1925	11	#3,037
1920	9	#3,468
1915	6	#4,015
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Karolyn, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Karolyn?

The median living Karolyn is about 57 years old. Half of all living Karolyns are between 35 and 73 years old.

How many people named Karolyn are alive today?

An estimated 4,700 people named Karolyn are alive in the United States, based on 5,957 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Karolyn in 2025?

Karolyn ranked #6,436 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 18 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Karolyn?

5,957 babies have been named Karolyn in the United States since 1912, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Karolyn most popular?

Karolyn peaked in 1946, when 167 newborns received the name.

Is Karolyn a boy or girl name?

Karolyn is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Karolyn rising or falling?

Karolyn is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Karolyn

Karolyn popularity over time

The story of Karolyn

How old are people named Karolyn?

Karolyn year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Karolyn