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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Related Reading
American-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →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
Most popular combo · classic
Karilyn Rose
Floral · soft ending
Karilyn Mae
Sweet · timeless
Karilyn Claire
French influence · crisp
Karilyn Jane
Literary · strong
Karilyn Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Karilyn right now?
Falling — down 4443 spots — currently #16418 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| 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 | — |
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:
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?
What names sound and feel like Karilyn?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Karilyn also consider these
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.