Given name & surname
Carol
“a joyous song; a small, strong woman”·“a free man”
Carol is a variant of Carl. In German use, Carl carries the interpretation “a free man.” In English use, Carol is a diminutive of Caroline. In Latin use, Caroline carries the interpretation “a joyous song; a small, strong woman.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
In English use, Carol carries the interpretation “a joyous song; a small, strong woman.” Carol is a variant of Carl. In German use, Carl carries the interpretation “a free man.” In English use, Carol is a diminutive of Caroline. In Latin use, Caroline carries the interpretation “a joyous song; a small, strong woman.”
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Where it comes from
A possible origin is English, although the derivation remains uncertain.
How it developed
In English use, Carol is used as a form of Carolus. Carol is used as a form of Caroline.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Carol through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 825,584
- 8,656 boys · 816,928 girls
- Most popular year
- 1946
- 34,458 babies
- 2025
- 82
- #2,242 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −31%
- Easing
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 0% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 82 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 2,242 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 31.3% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 34,284 in 1946. In 2025, California and Texas shared the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (10 each). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 614,466 as a first name in 2020; 1,482 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Carol’s family of names
In English usage, Carol is a diminutive of Carolyn. In Portuguese usage, Carol shares an earlier linguistic root with Carla. In Romanian usage, Carol has a conventional equivalent in the English form Charles.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Carol has relatives in 8 languages. Lines run from its English roots to each of them.
Nicknames & forms 19
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 15
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Carol
- Carol W. GreiderAmerican molecular biologistborn 1961
- Carole KingAmerican singer-songwriter and musician (born 1942)
- Carol I of Romaniaking of Romania from 1881 to 19141839–1914
- Carol BurnettAmerican actress, comedian and singer (born 1933)
- Carol II of Romaniaking of Romania from 1930 to 19401893–1953
- Carol ChanningAmerican actress (1921–2019)
- Carol ReedEnglish film director (1906–1976)
- Diahann CarrollAmerican actress, singer, model and activist (1935–2019)
- Carol KaneAmerican actress (born 1952)
Characters named Carol: Carol Peletier (The Walking Dead), Carol Danvers (the Marvel Cinematic Universe), Carol Hathaway (the television series ER), Carol Ferris (DC Comics).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Carol, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Sally
“princess; lady” · “princess”
>99% girls
Ronni
“displaying her true image” · “song of Joy”
3% boys · 97% girls
Nancy
“a woman graced with God's favor” · “one who is pure; chaste”
>99% girls
Cherry
“resembling a fruit-bearing tree”
>99% girls
Lark
“resembling the songbird”
10% boys · 90% girls
Prudence
“one who is cautious and exercises good judgment”
>99% girls
Marilyn
“a man of the lake”
>99% girls
Janis
Janis is used as a given name and a surname. Janis is connected with Janice and John.
7% boys · 93% girls