Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Carly
GirlEnglish, Germanic· “free man”
- Meaning
- free man
- Origin
- English, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- KAHR-lee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,009
- US babies 2025
- 248
- Best rank
- #122 (1995)
- Peak year
- 1995
Meaning and origin of Carly
Carly is an English and Germanic name that is usually said to mean “free man”.
Carly began as a diminutive of Carla or Caroline, feminine forms of Carl and Charles. Those names come from a Germanic word meaning free man, one of the oldest roots in European naming. Carly came into its own as an independent name in the second half of the twentieth century, helped by singer-songwriter Carly Simon. It has a breezy, approachable sound and fits naturally with other friendly names ending in y, such as Kelly and Molly. If you would like a longer formal name, Caroline or Carolina both shorten to Carly with no effort.
Other spellings with the same sound: Carley, Carli.
Popularity over time
Carly first appears in US Social Security records in 1951. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 52 different years, starting in 1973. Its best national rank was #122 in 1995, the same year it reached its highest count of 2,585 babies. In 2025, 248 babies were named Carly, and it ranked #1,009 nationally. That is 71% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #322 in 1980, #169 in 2000, #218 in 2010, and #1,009 in 2025. Of the 66,466 US girls named Carly since records began, 34% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 16,688 babies. Since 2010, 11,501 more have been named Carly.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Tori, Rebekah, Marisa, Alejandra, and Karina.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Carly ranked highest in Ohio, Oklahoma, and Colorado.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Carly is usually pronounced KAHR-lee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with C and ends in “-ly”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Carley and Carli.
Middle names for Carly
A few middle names that flow with Carly: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Carly
Similar names
Ally Girl
A-lee
“pet form of Alison or Alexandra” · English
#2,118
Ashly Girl
ASH-lee
“ash tree clearing” · American (modern coinage)
#1,273
Nelly Girl
NEH-lee
“pet form of Eleanor, Helen or Ellen” · English
#1,294
Tilly Girl
TIH-lee
“strength in battle” · English
#885
Aly Unisex
AL-ee
“short form of Alyson or Alexandra” · English
#3,716
Lily Girl
LIH-lee
“lily flower” · English
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Molly Girl
MAH-lee
“diminutive of Mary” · English
#196
Lilly Girl
LIH-lee
“lily flower” · English
#252
Holly Girl
HAH-lee
“the holly tree” · English
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Carlie Girl
KAHR-lee
“pet form of Caroline or Carl, 'free man'” · English
#2,657
Sally Girl
SA-lee
“princess” · English
#1,158
Carrie Girl
KEH-ree
“pet form of Caroline; free man” · English
#2,726
Lists that include Carly
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Carly mean?
Carly is an English and Germanic name that is usually said to mean “free man”.
What is the origin of the name Carly?
Carly has English and Germanic roots. Carly began as a diminutive of Carla or Caroline, feminine forms of Carl and Charles.
Is Carly a popular name?
Not especially. Carly ranked #1,009 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Carly a boy or girl name?
Carly is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Carly?
Carly is usually pronounced KAHR-lee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings