Carol
Carol: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkæ.ɹəl/
Meaning and origin of Carol
- A female given name from the Germanic languages, popular in the middle of the 20th century.
- A male given name from the Germanic languages.
Etymology
Shortened from Caroline. Associated by folk etymology with the English noun carol.
How popular is Carol?
Since 1880, 816,928 girls and 8,656 boys in the U.S. have been named Carol (99% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #4 in 1941. Its highest rank for boys was #324 in 1937. In 2025, 82 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Carol
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Germanic girl names
Sibling name ideas for Carol
Sister and brother names that share Carol's Germanic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Carol FAQ
What does the name Carol mean?
A female given name from the Germanic languages, popular in the middle of the 20th century. A male given name from the Germanic languages. Shortened from Caroline. Associated by folk etymology with the English noun carol.
What is the origin of the name Carol?
Carol is listed as a name of Germanic origin.
How popular is the name Carol?
Since 1880, 816,928 girls and 8,656 boys in the U.S. have been named Carol (99% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #4 in 1941. Its highest rank for boys was #324 in 1937. In 2025, 82 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Carol a boy or girl name?
Carol is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 816,928 girls and 8,656 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.