The nameCaroline
Caroline is a girl's name of Germanic origin, a feminine of Charles meaning "free". It is an elegant classic in English and French.
- Girl's name
- Germanic
- Feast day
Meaning
Caroline comes from Carolus, the Latin form of Charles, from the Germanic karl, "free man".
Origin
Germanic, through Italian and French. Caroline of Ansbach, wife of George II, brought the name to Britain.
History
The American states of North and South Carolina were named after King Charles I. Caroline Kennedy made the name popular in the United States in the 1960s.
Caroline in other languages
Caroline is spelled the same in English, French and German. It is Carolina in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese, and Karolina in Polish and the Nordic countries. It is a feminine form of Charles.
Nicknames for Caroline
The most common nicknames for Caroline: Caro, Carrie and Callie.
Did you know?
- Caroline Herschel became the first woman to discover a comet, in 1786.
- Caroline Wozniacki was world number one in women's tennis and won the Australian Open in 2018.
Famous people named Caroline
- Caroline of Ansbach, Queen of Great Britain
- Caroline Herschel, astronomer
- Caroline Kennedy, diplomat
- Caroline Wozniacki, tennis player
Popularity of the name Caroline
Caroline in the United States
Caroline was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 41,893 births over the decade, 17% of all recorded babies named Caroline. Its rise began around 1910, and it peaked in 2000. Half of all babies named Caroline in the United States were born before 1993. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 3,036 births a year on average, against 4,230 in the five years before.
Caroline in the United Kingdom
Caroline was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 899 births over the decade, 40% of all recorded babies named Caroline. Half of all babies named Caroline in the United Kingdom were born before 2003. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 29 births a year on average, against 37 in the five years before.
Caroline in Ireland
Caroline in France
Caroline in Belgium
Caroline in Switzerland
Caroline in Austria
Caroline in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Caroline
Names from the same generation as Caroline, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Caroline? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Caroline with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Caroline side by side with the name of your choice.
Caroline in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Caroline mean?
Caroline comes from Carolus, the Latin form of Charles, from the Germanic karl, "free man".
What is the origin of the name Caroline?
Germanic, through Italian and French. Caroline of Ansbach, wife of George II, brought the name to Britain.
Is Caroline a girl's or a boy's name?
Caroline is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Caroline?
In 2024, Caroline was the 92nd most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 2,720 births.
What are the variants of the name Caroline?
Variants and related names of Caroline include Calie, Callie, Carol, Carolane, Carole, Charles, Coraline and Line.
What are good sibling names for Caroline?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Autumn, Victoria, Jade and Ariana for a sister, George, William, Louis and Ivan for a brother.
What are common nicknames for Caroline?
The most common nicknames for Caroline are Caro, Carrie and Callie.
Who are famous people named Caroline?
Caroline of Ansbach, Queen of Great Britain; Caroline Herschel, astronomer; Caroline Kennedy, diplomat; Caroline Wozniacki, tennis player.