Carolyn is a female

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a f ...

, a variant of Caroline. Other spellings include

Carolin Carolin is a given name. Notable people with the name include: Given name * Carolin Babcock (1912–1987), female tennis player from the United States * Carolin Bachmann (born 1988), German politician * Carolin Fortenbacher (born 1963), German Mus ...

Karolyn Karolyn is an English, and Swedish feminine given name that is a diminutive form of Carolina and Caroline as well as an alternate form of Karolin. Notable people referred to by this name include the following: Given name * Karolyn Ali (1944 ...

Carolyne Carolyne is a Swedish feminine given name that is an alternate form of Caroline as well as a diminutive form of Carola. Notable people referred to by this name include the following: Given name *Carolyne Barry (1943–2015), American dancer and ...

Carolynn Carolynn is a given name that is an alternate spelling of Carol, a derivative of Caroline and a variation of Carolyn. Notable people known by this name include the following: *Carolynn Marie Hill, known as Lynn Hill (born 1961), American rock cli ...

Carolynne Carolynne is a Swedish feminine given name that is an alternate form of Caroline as well as a diminutive form of Carola. Notable people referred to by this name include the following: Given name *Carolynne Cunningham Carolynne Cunningham i ...

. Caroline itself is one of the feminine forms of

Charles Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English language, English and French language, French speaking countries. It is from the French form ''Charles'' of the Proto-Germanic, Proto-Germanic name (in runic alphabet) or ''* ...

List of notable people

Carolyn Bennett Carolyn Ann Bennett (born December 20, 1950) is a Canadian ambassador and retired politician. A member of the Liberal Party, she represented Toronto—St. Paul's in the House of Commons from 1997 to 2024, and was a cabinet minister in the go ...

(born 1950), Canadian politician *

Carolyn Bertozzi Carolyn Ruth Bertozzi (born October 10, 1966) is an American chemist and Nobel laureate, known for her wide-ranging work spanning both chemistry and biology. She coined the term " bioorthogonal chemistry" for chemical reactions compatible with ...

(born 1966), American chemist and Nobel laureate *

Carolyn Bertram Carolyn Bertram (born 21 April 1976) is a Canadian politician. She represented the electoral districts of Crapaud-Hazel Grove and Rustico-Emerald in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 2003 to 2015. She was a member of the Li ...

(born 1976), Canadian politician *

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy Carolyn Jeanne Bessette-Kennedy (née Bessette; January 7, 1966 – July 16, 1999) was an American fashion publicist. She worked for Calvin Klein until her 1996 marriage to attorney and publisher John F. Kennedy Jr. Her life and fashion sense ...

(1966–1999), wife of John F. Kennedy, Jr. *

Carolyn Beug Carolyn Ann Mayer-Beug (December 11, 1952 – September 11, 2001) was a filmmaker and video producer from Santa Monica, California, Santa Monica, California. She died in the September 11 attacks as a passenger of the American Airlines Flight 11. ...

(1952–2001), American filmmaker * Carolyn Bolivar-Getson (born 1964), Canadian politician *

Carolyn Brown (choreographer) Carolyn Brown ( Rice; September 26, 1927 – January 7, 2025) was an American dancer, choreographer and writer. She was best known for her work as a founding member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, and was Cunningham's leading dancer for tw ...

(born 1927), American dancer, choreographer, and writer * Carolyn Brown (newsreader), English newsreader *

Carolyn Cassady Carolyn Elizabeth Robinson Cassady (April 28, 1923 – September 20, 2013) was an American writer and associated with the Beat Generation through her marriage to Neal Cassady and her friendships with Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and other pr ...

(1923–2013), American writer and wife of Neal Cassady *

Carolyn Caton Carolyn Caton is an American politician who was elected member of the Missouri House of Representatives for the 33rd district in 2024. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri, abbreviated KC or KCMO, is the largest ...

, American politician from Missouri *

C. J. Cherryh Carolyn Janice Cherry (born September 1, 1942), better known by the pen name C. J. Cherryh, is an American writer of speculative fiction. She has written more than 80 books since the mid-1970s, including the Hugo Award–winning novels '' Downbe ...

(Carolyn Janice Cherryh; born 1942), American science fiction and fantasy writer * Carolyn Chiechi (born 1943), judge of the United States Tax Court *

Carolyn Cooper Carolyn Cooper CD (born 20 November 1950) is a Jamaican author, essayist and literary scholar. She is a former professor of Literary and Cultural Studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica. From 1975 to 1980, she was an assis ...

(born 1959), Jamaican author and literary scholar * Carolyn Davidson, several people * Carolyn Eaton (1964–1982), American murder victim *

Carolyn Fe Carolyn Fe (born August 1, 1961) is a Filipino actress based in Montreal. She has released three full-length albums and an EP with the Carolyn Fe Blues Collective. Fe is also the recipient of 2018 Toronto Theatre Critics' Awards for Best Supportin ...

, Filipina singer and actress *

Carolyn Forché Carolyn Forché (born April 28, 1950) is an American poet, editor, professor, translator, and human rights advocate. She has received many awards for her literary work. Biography Forché was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Michael Joseph and Louise ...

(born 1950), American poet, editor, translator and human rights advocate *

Carolyn Franklin Carolyn Ann Franklin (May 13, 1944 – April 25, 1988) was an American singer-songwriter. Biography Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to Barbara Siggers Franklin and C. L. Franklin. The youngest of six children, they moved to Buffalo, ...

(1944–1988), American singer and songwriter, sister of Aretha Franklin *

Carolyn Bartlett Gast Carolyn Bartlett Gast (April 30, 1929 – ''c.'' September 2015) was an American scientific illustrator. Early life and education Gast was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She studied book illustrating at Boston University and spent a year ...

, American scientific illustrator *

Carolyn Gates Maureen Carolyn Gates is an American–New Zealand academic veterinarian, and is a full professor at Massey University. She specialises in evidence-based solutions for animal health problems, and has been recognised for developing innovative tea ...

, professor of veterinary science *

Carolyn Gray Carolyn Gray is a Canadian playwright. Biography Her full-length play ''The Elmwood Visitation'' (Scirocco Drama) was produced by Theatre Projects Manitoba in 2007 and won the Manitoba Day Award for excellence in archival research. ''The Confe ...

, Canadian Playwright *

Carolyn Harris Carolyn Harris (born 18 September 1960) is a Welsh politician serving as Deputy Leader of Welsh Labour since 2018. She has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Neath and Swansea East, previously Swansea East since 2015. Harris served as Sha ...

(born 1960), British politician *

Carolyn Lynnet Harris Carolyn Lynnet Harris (1947 – January 15, 1994) was an American preservation librarian. She received a B.A. in Art History in 1969 and a Masters of Library Science in 1970, both from the University of Texas at Austin. Career Harris was educat ...

(1948–1994), American librarian * Carolyn Wilson Harris (1849–1910), American lichenologist * Carolyn Hart (born 1936), American mystery writer *

Carolyn Hax Carolyn Hanley Hax (born December 5, 1966) is an American writer and columnist for ''The Washington Post'' and author of the daily syndicated advice column, ''Carolyn Hax'' (formerly titled ''Tell Me About It''), which features broad relational ad ...

(born 1966), American writer and advice columnist *

Carolyn Hennesy Carolyn Hennesy (born June 10, 1962) is an American actress, writer, and animal advocate. Hennesy's early work consisted of guest appearances and roles in shows and television movies, including ''Dark Justice'' and in '' Deadly Invasion: The Ki ...

(born 1962), American actress *

Carolyn Price Horton Carolyn Price Horton (July 13, 1909 – October 21, 2001) also known as Carol Price Rugh, was an American Bookbinding, bookbinder and Conservation and restoration of books, manuscripts, documents and ephemera, conservator-restorer of books. She m ...

(1909–2001), American bookbinder and conservator *

Carolyn Hunt Carolyn Joyce Hunt (''née'' Leonard; born July 3, 1937) is an American educator and politician who, as the wife of Jim Hunt, served as the Second Lady of North Carolina from 1973 to 1977 and twice-served as the First Lady of North Carolina, from ...

(born 1937), American educator, politician, and First Lady of North Carolina *

Carolyn Dawn Johnson Carolyn Dawn Johnson (born April 30, 1971) is a Canadian country music singer-songwriter. Johnson co-wrote Chely Wright's 1999 single, "Single White Female," which reached number one on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in Sep ...

(born 1971), Canadian country music singer-songwriter *

Carolyn Jones Carolyn Sue Jones (April 28, 1930 – August 3, 1983) was an American actress of television and film. She began her film career in the early 1950s, and by the end of the decade had achieved recognition with a nomination for an Academy Awa ...

(1930–1983), American actress *

Carolyn Jones (politician) Carolyn Jones (born 1944) is a Canadian politician, who represented the electoral district of Saskatoon Meewasin in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, from 1999 to 2003. She was a member of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party The Sa ...

, Canadian politician *

Carolyn Jones-Young Carolyn Jones-Young (born Carolyn Jones; July 29, 1969) is an American former professional women's basketball player. A 5'9" guard, she played for the New England Blizzard of the American Basketball League (1996–1998), and also played for the Po ...

(born 1969), American basketball player *

Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick Carolyn Jean Cheeks Kilpatrick (born June 25, 1945) is a former American politician who was U.S. Representative for and then from 1997 to 2011. She is a member of the Democratic Party. In August 2010 she lost the Democratic primary election t ...

(born 1945), American politician *

Carolyn Kizer Carolyn Ashley Kizer (December 10, 1925 – October 9, 2014) was an American poet of the Pacific Northwest whose works reflect her feminism. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1985. According to an article at the Center for the Study of the Pacific N ...

(1925–2014), Pulitzer Prize-winning American poet * Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda (born 1946), American poet *

Carolyn Lawrence Carolyn Lawrence (born ) is an American actress. She is known for her voice roles on Nickelodeon animated shows, including Sandy Cheeks on ''SpongeBob SquarePants'', Cindy Vortex on ''Jimmy Neutron'', and Mandragora on ''Winx Club'' as well ...

(born 1967), American voice actress *

Carolyn Leigh Carolyn Leigh (August 21, 1926 – November 19, 1983) was an American lyricist for Broadway, film, and popular songs. She is best known as the writer with partner Cy Coleman of the pop standards "Witchcraft" and " The Best Is Yet to Come". W ...

(1926–1983), American lyricist * Carolyn Ringer Lepre, American academic administrator * Carolyn Lynch (1946–2015), American philanthropist * Carolyn Mahoney (born 1946), American mathematician *

Carolyn Maloney Carolyn Jane Maloney (née Bosher, February 19, 1946) is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for from 2013 to 2023, and for from 1993 to 2013. The district includes most of Manhattan's East Side, Astoria and Long I ...

(born 1946), American politician *

Carolyn Martin Carolyn Arthur "Biddy" Martin (born 1951) is an American academic, author, and the 19th president of Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts. Before becoming president at Amherst, she was the eighth chancellor of the University of Wisconsin� ...

(born 1951), American academic, author and president of Amherst College * Carolyn McCarthy (born 1944), American politician *

Carolyn McCormick Carolyn McCormick is an American actress who played Dr. Elizabeth Olivet in the ''Law & Order'' franchise. Life and career McCormick has worked in television, movies, theatre, and voice acting. Her breakthrough role was in '' Enemy Mine'', ...

(born 1959), American actress * Carolyn McCurdie, British-born New Zealand author * Carolyn D. Meadows (born 1938), American activist *

Carolyn Merchant Carolyn Merchant (born July 12, 1936 in Rochester, New York) is an American ecofeminist philosopher and historian of science most famous for her theory (and book of the same title) on '' The Death of Nature'', whereby she identifies the Scien ...

(born 1936), American ecofeminist *

Carolyn Morris Carolyn E. Morris (September 28, 1925 – February 20, 1996) was a female pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at , 157 lb., Morris batted and threw right-handed. She was nicknamed ' ...

(1925–1996), pitcher in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League *

Carolyn Omine Carolyn Omine is an American television writer. She has won four Emmy Awards for her writing work on ''The Simpsons''. Writing credits ''The Simpsons'' episodes Omine has written the following episodes: *" Little Big Mom" (2000) *" Treeho ...

(), American television writer and producer * Carolyn Miller Parr (born 1937), judge of the United States Tax Court *

Carolyn Parrish Carolyn Parrish (born Karolina Janozeski; October 3, 1946) is a Canadian politician who has been the 7th and current mayor of Mississauga since June 24, 2024. Parrish previously served as a Member of Parliament (Canada), member of Parliament (MP ...

(born 1946), Canadian politician *

Carolyn Porco Carolyn C. Porco (born March 6, 1953) is an American planetary scientist who explores the outer Solar System, beginning with her imaging work on the Voyager missions to Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune in the 1980s. She led the imaging scie ...

(born 1953), American planetary scientist *

Carolyn Reidy Carolyn Kroll Reidy (May 2, 1949 – May 12, 2020) was an American business executive who was president and CEO of the American publishing company Simon & Schuster. While CEO, Reidy was named the publishing industry's Person of the Year by ...

(1949–2020), president and CEO of the American publishing company Simon & Schuster *

Carolyn See Carolyn See (née Laws; January 13, 1934 – July 13, 2016) was a professor emerita of English at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the author of ten books, including the memoir, ''Dreaming: Hard Luck and Good Times in America'', ...

(1934–2016), American author and reviewer *

Carolyn Seymour Carolyn Seymour is an English actress, best known for portraying the role of Abby Grant in the BBC series ''Survivors (1975 TV series), Survivors'' (1975) and Queen Myrrah in the ''Gears of War (series), Gears of War'' franchise. Career She wa ...

(born 1947), English actress * Carolyn S. Shoemaker (1929–2021), American astronomer *

Carolyn Stewart-Olsen Carolyn Stewart-Olsen (born July 27, 1946) is a retired Conservative senator from New Brunswick. She was formerly Senior Advisor and Director of Strategic Communication in the Prime Minister's Office of Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper. ...

(born 1946), Canadian politician *

Carolyn Watkinson Carolyn Watkinson (born 19 March 1949) is an English mezzo-soprano, specialising in baroque music. Her voice is alternately characterized as mezzo-soprano and contralto. Watkinson was born in Preston and studied at the Royal Manchester College ...

(born 1949), English mezzo-soprano singer * Carolyn D. Wright (1949–2016), American poet *

Carolyn Yarnell Carolyn Yarnell (born 1961)Burns (2002) p. 12 is an American composer and visual artist. A recipient of the Rome Prize, Charles Ives Prize, and a Guggenheim Fellowship, she is particularly noted for works which combine visual and musical depiction ...

(born 1961), American composer and visual artist

In fiction

* Carolyn Barek, on the television series ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent'' *

Carolyn Keene Carolyn Keene is the pseudonym of the authors of the Nancy Drew mystery stories and ''The Dana Girls'' mystery stories, both produced by the Stratemeyer Syndicate. In addition, the Keene pen name is credited with the Nancy Drew spin-off, ''Riv ...

, pseudonym of the authors of the ''Nancy Drew'' and ''The Dana Girls'' mystery stories * Carolyn Stoddard, from the soap opera ''Dark Shadows'' * Princess Carolyn, from the

adult animation Adult animation is an animation used for films and television series that is catered specifically to general interests and is mainly targeted and marketed towards adolescents and young adults, as opposed to children or all-ages audiences. Ralph ...

series ''

Bojack Horseman ''BoJack Horseman'' is an American adult animation, adult animated tragicomedy television series created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg. It stars the voices of Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Paul F. Tompkins, and Aaron Paul. Set primarily in ...

'' * Carolyn Trainer, a supervillain from Marvel Comics, also known as Lady Octopus

List of notable people

In fiction

See also