Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Carroll

Carroll

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAIR-ul /ˈkær.əl/Medium

Meaning: Carroll comes from the Irish surname Ó Cearbhaill, from Cearbhall, often read as 'fierce champion' or 'hacking warrior'. As a given name it was used for both sexes; here it is a girl's name, overlapping in sound with Carol.Medium

In 30 seconds: A surname turned first name: Carroll traces to Irish Cearbhall, 'fierce champion' (said 'KAIR-ul'). Used here for a girl.
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumIrish
MeaningCarroll comes from the Irish surname Ó Cearbhaill, from Cearbhall, often read as 'fierce champion' or 'hacking warrior'. As a given name it was used for both sexes; here it is a girl's name, overlapping in sound with Carol.
U.S. rank (2022)#15761 ↘ Falling
2022 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1943
Total births (all-time)≈ 5,916

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 194318962022

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

Carroll derives from the Irish surname Cearbhall, 'fierce champion'. Carried into first-name use, it served both sexes, and for girls it blended with the fashionable Carol. Its girls' peak came around 1943. It faded as such surname-names and the wider Carol vogue passed.

Uncommon for girls now, it keeps a crisp, surname-style air. Both-sex in history, Irish at root.

Did you know? Carroll — from the Irish 'fierce champion' — served as both a boys' and girls' name; its girls' use crested around 1943, overlapping in sound with the popular Carol.
Overall data confidence 60%
References — Carroll — Irish surname Cearbhall 'fierce champion'; both-sex use

Variations

CarolCarrollCarrol

Nicknames

CarrieRoll

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Carroll…

Carol— a like near-homophone girl's name
Carole— a similar mid-century spelling
Caryl— a like variant of the same sound
Karol— a similar surname-flavored form

Explore names like Carroll

By themevintageirishsurnamecross-sex

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Carroll mean?

Carroll comes from the Irish surname Cearbhall, often read as 'fierce champion' or 'hacking warrior'.

How do you pronounce Carroll?

It's said KAIR-ul /ˈkær.əl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Carroll a boy or girl name?

Carroll has been used for both; here it is a girl's name, close in sound to Carol.

Is Carroll making a comeback?

Carroll is uncommon for girls today and reads as a vintage surname-name rather than a current favorite.

💬 Ask Nia