Carolyn
Meaning of Carolyn
The name Carolyn is a classic and elegant choice for a baby girl. Pronounced as KAIR-uh-lin, it is an English variation of the name Caroline, which itself derives from the male name Charles, meaning "free man" in Germanic origins. Carolyn has been a popular name in the United States for over a century, peaking in popularity during the mid-20th century. It evokes images of grace and sophistication, often associated with historical figures and literary characters who embody these qualities. Although its popularity has waned somewhat in recent years, Carolyn remains a timeless option that carries a sense of dignity and tradition.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as KAIR-uh-lin (/kɑˈrɒlɪn/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Carolyn
| Carolyn Jane Maloney is a former U.S. representative for New York's 12th and 14th congressional districts, known for her service in the Democratic Party. |
| Carolyn Porco - Carolyn C. Porco is an American planetary scientist known for her work on the Voyager missions and leading the imaging science team on the Cassini mission around Saturn. |
| Carolyn Ruth Bertozzi is an American chemist and Nobel laureate known for her pioneering work in bioorthogonal chemistry and her research on cell surface sugars and their impact on diseases such as cancer, inflammation, and viral infections. |
| Carolyn Marie Rodgers was a prominent Chicago-based writer and founder of Third World Press, known for her poetry and as a student of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks. |
| Carolyn Jeanne Bessette-Kennedy was an American publicist known for her marriage to John F. Kennedy Jr. and her fashion sense, tragically passing away in a plane crash in 1999. |
| Carolyn Dawn Johnson is a Canadian country music singer-songwriter known for co-writing Chely Wright's hit single "Single White Female" and being signed to Arista Nashville. |
| Carolyn Lukensmeyer - Carolyn J. Lukensmeyer is an American activist and leader in deliberative democracy, known for her work with The National Institute for Civil Discourse and AmericaSpeaks. |
| Carolyn Jessop is an American author and former member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, known for her book Escape, which details her upbringing in the polygamist sect and her journey to leave the community. |
| Carolyn Gold Heilbrun was an influential American academic, feminist author, and successful mystery novelist under the pen name Amanda Cross. |
| Carolyn Forché is a renowned American poet, editor, professor, translator, and human rights advocate with numerous accolades for her literary contributions. |
| Carolyn Arlene Peck is an American television sportscaster and former college basketball coach, known for her coaching career at Purdue University and the University of Florida, as well as her role as the first head coach-general manager in the history of the WNBA's Orlando Miracle. |
| Carolyn Goodman is the second female mayor of Las Vegas, Nevada, and has been in office since 2011. |
| Carolyn Ann Bennett is a Canadian physician and politician who served as a minister in various capacities and represented Toronto—St. Paul's in the House of Commons. |
| Carolyn S. Shoemaker - Carolyn Jean Spellmann Shoemaker was an American astronomer known for co-discovering Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 and for her discovery of 32 comets and over 500 asteroids. |
| Dame Carolyn Henwood is a former judge in New Zealand and a strong advocate for youth justice and the welfare of children in state care, as well as being involved in the arts and founding Circa Theatre in Wellington. |
