Carly \c(a)-rly, car-ly\ as a girl's name (also used as boy's name Carly), is pronounced KAR-lee. It is of Latin origin, and the meaning of Carly is "free man". Feminine form of Charles. Also pet or short form of Carla, Caroline and Charlotte. A modern-day shorter version of the forms Carleen and Carlene, which were a product of the 1960s. Singer Carly Simon.

Carly has 22 variant forms: Carlee, Carleen, Carleigh, Carlene, Carley, Carli, Carlie, Carline, Carlita, Carlye, Carlyne, Carlyta, Karlee, Karleigh, Karlene, Karli, Karlie, Karline, Karlita, Karly, Karlye and Karlyta.

For more information, see also the related name Carol.

Baby names that sound like Carly are Carle, Caroly, Carely and Corly.