Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Taryn
GirlAmerican (modern coinage)· “modern blend, perhaps of Tara and Karen”
- Meaning
- modern blend, perhaps of Tara and Karen (origin disputed)
- Origin
- American (modern coinage)
- Pronunciation
- TAIR-in
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,449
- US babies 2025
- 45
- Best rank
- #227 (1985)
- Peak year
- 1985
Meaning and origin of Taryn
Taryn is often said to mean “modern blend, perhaps of Tara and Karen”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to American (modern coinage) roots.
Taryn is a modern name that is often explained as a blend of Tara and Karen or Caryn, or as a variant of Tara. Its origin is not documented with certainty, but it became known in the mid twentieth century, and it is often said to have been popularized by the actress Taryn Power, whose parents were the actors Tyrone Power and Linda Christian. Taryn has a crisp, modern sound and is used mainly for girls. It is short and easy to pronounce, and it pairs well with both classic and modern middle names.
Popularity over time
Taryn first appears in US Social Security records in 1953. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 44 different years, starting in 1955. Its best national rank was #227 in 1985, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,135 babies. In 2025, 45 babies were named Taryn, and it ranked #3,449 nationally. That is 82% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #661 in 1980, #448 in 2000, #660 in 2010, and #3,449 in 2025. Of the 25,698 US girls named Taryn since records began, 26% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 6,500 babies. Since 2010, 3,327 more have been named Taryn.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Trista, Sade, Johanna, Cara, and Christa.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Taryn ranked highest in Pennsylvania and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | #1609 | 5 |
| Texas | #3255 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 96% of US babies named Taryn over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Taryn is usually pronounced TAIR-in, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with T and ends in “-yn”.
Middle names for Taryn
A few middle names that flow with Taryn: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Taryn
Similar names
Kaelyn Girl
KAY-lihn
“modern blend of Kae and -lyn” · American (modern coinage)
#1,601
Kaitlyn Girl
KAYT-lihn
“form of Caitlin, from Catherine” · American (modern coinage)
#802
Ashlyn Girl
ASH-lin
“blend of Ash and Lynn” · American (modern coinage)
#972
Camryn Girl
KAM-rin
“crooked nose” · Scottish
#477
Kamryn Unisex
KAM-rihn
“crooked nose; variant of Cameron” · Scottish
#556
Jazlyn Girl
JAZ-lihn
“blend of Jasmine and -lyn” · American (modern coinage)
#537
Kalyn Girl
KAY-lin
“modern variant of Kaylin” · American (modern coinage)
#6,217
Brooklyn Girl
BRUK-lihn
“from the New York borough” · American (modern coinage)
#118
Jordyn Girl
JAWR-duhn
“to flow down” · American (modern coinage)
#371
Katelyn Girl
KAYT-lihn
“form of Caitlin, from Catherine” · American (modern coinage)
#1,077
Londyn Girl
LUN-din
“from the city of London” · American (modern coinage)
#388
Raelyn Girl
RAY-lihn
“blend of Rae and Lynn” · American (modern coinage)
#502
Lists that include Taryn
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Taryn mean?
Taryn is often said to mean “modern blend, perhaps of Tara and Karen”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to American (modern coinage) roots.
What is the origin of the name Taryn?
Taryn has modern American roots. Taryn is a modern name that is often explained as a blend of Tara and Karen or Caryn, or as a variant of Tara.
Is Taryn a popular name?
Not especially. Taryn ranked #3,449 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Taryn a boy or girl name?
Taryn is mainly a girl's name. About 96% of US babies named Taryn over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Taryn?
Taryn is usually pronounced TAIR-in. 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