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Caprice

♀ Girl

Pronounced kuh-PREES /kəˈpriːs/High

Meaning: Caprice is the English word 'caprice' — a whim, an impulsive turn of mind — borrowed from French caprice and Italian capriccio. In music a capriccio is a lively, free-form piece. Used as a name it is a word name, and we note the everyday sense plainly.Medium

In 30 seconds: A word name with a flourish: Caprice means 'a whim' — and in music, a lively free-form piece (said 'kuh-PREES').

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Origin MediumEnglish, Italian

MeaningCaprice is the English word 'caprice' — a whim, an impulsive turn of mind — borrowed from French caprice and Italian capriccio. In music a capriccio is a lively, free-form piece. Used as a name it is a word name, and we note the everyday sense plainly.

U.S. rank (2023)#9740 ↗ Rising

2023 U.S. births10 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1966

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,369

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Caprice is the English word for a whim or sudden turn of fancy, taken from French caprice and Italian capriccio. Its musical cousin, the capriccio, is a free and lively composition. As a given name it had a small vogue in the later 20th century. We note the everyday meaning honestly alongside the musical one (said 'kuh-PREES').

In the U.S. it appears only very rarely for girls today. Word-name, spirited, and rare.

Did you know? In music a capriccio is a piece that follows no set form — playful, unpredictable, brilliant. That is the sense many parents hear in Caprice, rather than the everyday 'whim'.

Overall data confidence 60%

References — Caprice — English word caprice, from French/Italian capriccio; musical sense noted

Variations

CapriCapriseCapricia

Nicknames

CappyCapriReese

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Caprice…

Capri— the short form and island echo

Clarice— a like -ice ending

Melody— another music-flavored name

Cadence— a similar musical word name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Caprice mean?

Caprice is the English word for a whim or impulsive turn of mind, from Italian capriccio — which in music is a lively, free-form piece.

How do you pronounce Caprice?

It's said kuh-PREES /kəˈpriːs/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Caprice a boy or girl name?

Caprice is a girl's name.

How popular is Caprice?

Caprice is very rare for girls in the U.S. today.