Karolyn
Every Karolyn since 1912 — 5,957 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
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.
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
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.