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Carol
Pronounced KAR-ohl /ˈkær.oʊl/Low
Meaning: free man (feminine form of Charles); also associated with English 'carol' (song)Low
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
As a feminine of Charles, Carol carries the Germanic sense of 'free man,' filtered through Latin forms of the name. Over time English speakers also heard in it the word carol, a festive song, which gave it a cheerful seasonal association. Miss Universe 1956 Carol Morris is one well-known bearer.
That double reading, regal Charles on one side and a glad song on the other, gives Carol a brightness many shorter girls' names lack. It has a clean, single-rhythm sound that wears easily across generations.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Carol Morris (1936–present)American beauty queen, Miss Universe 1956.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Carol mean?
Carol means 'free man', a feminine form of Charles, and is also associated with the English word 'carol', a joyful song.
How do you pronounce Carol?
It's commonly said KAR-ohl /ˈkær.oʊl/.
Is Carol a boy or girl name?
In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Carol is used as a girl name.
How popular is Carol?
In 2024, Carol ranked #2631 in the U.S. for girls, with 66 births recorded.