Karilyn

“pure, beloved”

American origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#16418US 2021

5Births / yr

↓Falling

892All-time births

📅 Since 193400

How to pronounce Karilyn

KER·ee·LIN

/ˈkɛr.iː.ˈlɪn/ · stress on KER · 3 syllables

“pure, beloved”

American origin · Girl name

What does Karilyn mean and where does it come from?

Karilyn is a modern name that is primarily a blend of the name 'Karen' and 'Lynn'. Karen is derived from the Danish form of Katherine, which has the meaning of 'pure', and Lynn is a name that could be derived from the Welsh or Gaelic word for 'lake' or 'waterfall'. Although Karilyn is relatively mod

Cultural significance

Karilyn has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of pure, beloved.

Peak popularity

Reached #2651 in 1978 — currently #16418 in the US.

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How else can you spell Karilyn?

Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive

What middle names flow best with Karilyn?

Karilyn works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Karilyn Grace

How popular is Karilyn right now?

Falling — down 4443 spots — currently #16418 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1940–2021#16418 · Top 12%

1950

1955

1960

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

2021

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2021	#16418	5	▼ down 4443 · -37% births
2015	#11975	8	▲ up 1628 · +14% births
2010	#13603	7	▼ down 4627 · -42% births
2005	#8976	12	▲ up 1011 · +33% births
2000	#9987	9	▼ down 2842 · -25% births
1995	#7145	12	▼ down 1523 · -25% births
1990	#5622	16	▼ down 1719 · -24% births
1985	#3903	21	▲ up 2133 · +91% births
1980	#6036	11	▼ down 1362 · -15% births
1975	#4674	13	▼ down 79 · +8% births
1970	#4595	12	▲ up 432 · +50% births
1965	#5027	8	▲ up 407 · +14% births
1960	#5434	7	▲ up 118 · +17% births
1955	#5552	6	▼ down 2177 · -45% births
1950	#3375	11	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Karilyn

Best Year1950Rank #3375

Peak Count21

Average Rank#7091

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1940 - 202117 years

The story of Karilyn

Karilyn entered American naming records in 1934 and has been in use for over 90 years. With 892 total births recorded, Karilyn remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #4268 in 1940, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #16418 in 2021.

Names that peaked alongside Karilyn in 1978:

Jennifer Melissa Jessica Amy Heather

Karilyn by decade

Karilyn peaked in the 1970s. See all 1970s names →

Decade	Births
1930s	23
1940s	78
1950s	115
1960s	109
1970s	129
1980s ★	172
1990s	117
2000s	99
2010s	50

💎Karilyn has only 892 total recorded births since 1934 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Karilyn?

Common

KarKarieKaryArilyn

What names sound and feel like Karilyn?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Karilyn also consider these

Katilyn

American · Irish

Karalyn

American · A blend of

Karelyn

American · pure, beloved

Karolyn

American · English

Kailyn

American · Pure, slender

Marilyn

American · star of the

Sarilyn

American · A blend of

Carilyn

American · Combination of the

Common questions about the name Karilyn

What does the name Karilyn mean?

Karilyn means "pure, beloved" — a name rooted in American tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Karilyn?

Karilyn is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is holding steady in popularity, a reliable classic that parents consistently choose.

What is the cultural origin of Karilyn?

Karilyn originates from American tradition. American names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Karilyn?

Karilyn is a three-syllable name pronounced K EH1 R IY0 L IH1 N. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

What sibling names go well with Karilyn?

Karilyn pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar American heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.