Carolyn

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A feminine first name of English origin, a variant of Caroline, commonly given to women and girls
2. A female given name derived from the French form of Charles, popular in English-speaking countries
3. A woman's first name adapted from Charles, often shortened to Carrie or Caro in everyday use

Etymology: Carolyn is a given name formed as a variant of "Caroline," with the ending "-lyn" substituted for the usual "-line." Caroline itself comes from the Latin "Carolus," the name of Charlemagne and the Frankish royal line, and it reached English as a feminine form of Charles. The spelling with "y" and "-lyn" follows the common English habit of giving familiar names an ornamental look, so the name keeps its royal and masculine origin in its root while its ending is a purely spelling-based variation.