- Caroline Name Origin: French
- Pronunciation: cair-ah-line
- See what 18 people think about Caroline
Caroline Name Meaning
With a meaning as enviable as “free woman,” Caroline is a beautiful name for a little girl. A French feminine form of Charles, she’s also a clever way to honor a father or other relative bearing the name.
Caroline has always hovered in a sweet spot of popularity, never quite reaching the heights of being overused or trendy. She’s vintage of course, but not at all dated, a classic choice in a field packed with unisex monikers and surname names. She does manage to keep in step with the current trend of -line endings seen in Madeline and Adeline, however.
A sweet name with an interesting history, given to princesses, first ladies, and first daughters alike. She’s just as posh as today’s chart darling Charlotte but free of the sudden surge of popularity. She’ll always be a sophisticated choice, a proper name with good bones for growth.
While Caroline is a classy choice for a grown woman, she always wears well on a curious little girl. Delicate and delightful, Caroline is sure to be a little one eager to learn more about the world around her. She has several nicknames for parents to choose from including Carrie, Lina, and Carol. She also has a few variations like Carolyn and Carolina.
Caroline Name Popularity
How popular is the name Caroline? Here’s everything we know.
| Year | Rank | # Births | % Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 148 | 518 | 0.1471% |
| 1911 | 146 | 517 | 0.1388% |
| 1912 | 137 | 767 | 0.1521% |
| 1913 | 149 | 764 | 0.1348% |
| 1914 | 149 | 954 | 0.1369% |
| 1915 | 137 | 1,382 | 0.1521% |
| 1916 | 143 | 1,370 | 0.1418% |
| 1917 | 152 | 1,355 | 0.1354% |
| 1918 | 154 | 1,438 | 0.134% |
| 1919 | 167 | 1,279 | 0.1221% |
| 1920 | 159 | 1,419 | 0.1276% |
| 1921 | 162 | 1,409 | 0.123% |
| 1922 | 175 | 1,247 | 0.1119% |
| 1923 | 171 | 1,288 | 0.115% |
| 1924 | 175 | 1,282 | 0.1104% |
| 1925 | 183 | 1,168 | 0.1033% |
| 1926 | 174 | 1,193 | 0.1085% |
| 1927 | 179 | 1,144 | 0.1033% |
| 1928 | 175 | 1,163 | 0.1087% |
| 1929 | 173 | 1,155 | 0.1115% |
| 1930 | 172 | 1,138 | 0.1089% |
| 1931 | 165 | 1,098 | 0.1112% |
| 1932 | 172 | 1,077 | 0.109% |
| 1933 | 172 | 1,032 | 0.1108% |
| 1934 | 176 | 1,025 | 0.106% |
| 1935 | 174 | 1,043 | 0.1073% |
| 1936 | 177 | 1,053 | 0.1093% |
| 1937 | 181 | 1,074 | 0.109% |
| 1938 | 179 | 1,098 | 0.1073% |
| 1939 | 186 | 988 | 0.0971% |
| 1940 | 172 | 1,145 | 0.1077% |
| 1941 | 173 | 1,154 | 0.1025% |
| 1942 | 166 | 1,375 | 0.1089% |
| 1943 | 171 | 1,337 | 0.1024% |
| 1944 | 174 | 1,197 | 0.0966% |
| 1945 | 196 | 988 | 0.081% |
| 1946 | 212 | 1,079 | 0.0731% |
| 1947 | 219 | 1,120 | 0.0671% |
| 1948 | 222 | 1,067 | 0.0668% |
| 1949 | 233 | 992 | 0.0617% |
| 1950 | 253 | 857 | 0.0532% |
| 1951 | 250 | 900 | 0.0531% |
| 1952 | 263 | 890 | 0.051% |
| 1953 | 276 | 866 | 0.0489% |
| 1954 | 303 | 746 | 0.0408% |
| 1955 | 316 | 701 | 0.0381% |
| 1956 | 329 | 662 | 0.0351% |
| 1957 | 253 | 1,111 | 0.0577% |
| 1958 | 281 | 963 | 0.051% |
| 1959 | 275 | 1,022 | 0.0538% |
| 1960 | 255 | 1,187 | 0.0626% |
| 1961 | 176 | 2,191 | 0.1161% |
| 1962 | 186 | 1,982 | 0.108% |
| 1963 | 208 | 1,678 | 0.0935% |
| 1964 | 178 | 2,101 | 0.1194% |
| 1965 | 187 | 1,799 | 0.11% |
| 1966 | 201 | 1,537 | 0.0984% |
| 1967 | 209 | 1,429 | 0.0942% |
| 1968 | 214 | 1,388 | 0.0924% |
| 1969 | 223 | 1,331 | 0.0864% |
| 1970 | 226 | 1,358 | 0.0853% |
| 1971 | 240 | 1,190 | 0.0792% |
| 1972 | 252 | 1,034 | 0.0759% |
| 1973 | 230 | 1,080 | 0.0833% |
| 1974 | 214 | 1,167 | 0.0898% |
| 1975 | 198 | 1,217 | 0.0947% |
| 1976 | 197 | 1,212 | 0.094% |
| 1977 | 209 | 1,175 | 0.0872% |
| 1978 | 199 | 1,289 | 0.0959% |
| 1979 | 198 | 1,330 | 0.0943% |
| 1980 | 200 | 1,282 | 0.0877% |
| 1981 | 193 | 1,366 | 0.0929% |
| 1982 | 179 | 1,511 | 0.1011% |
| 1983 | 184 | 1,461 | 0.099% |
| 1984 | 168 | 1,614 | 0.1085% |
| 1985 | 164 | 1,738 | 0.1145% |
| 1986 | 157 | 1,777 | 0.1177% |
| 1987 | 135 | 2,032 | 0.1332% |
| 1988 | 122 | 2,307 | 0.148% |
| 1989 | 113 | 2,647 | 0.164% |
| 1990 | 115 | 2,813 | 0.1697% |
| 1991 | 116 | 2,826 | 0.1734% |
| 1992 | 106 | 3,162 | 0.1981% |
| 1993 | 105 | 3,072 | 0.197% |
| 1994 | 95 | 3,435 | 0.2238% |
| 1995 | 92 | 3,790 | 0.2515% |
| 1996 | 79 | 4,458 | 0.2977% |
| 1997 | 75 | 4,431 | 0.2996% |
| 1998 | 75 | 4,259 | 0.2846% |
| 1999 | 71 | 4,463 | 0.298% |
| 2000 | 65 | 5,010 | 0.328% |
| 2001 | 62 | 4,851 | 0.322% |
| 2002 | 67 | 4,640 | 0.3096% |
| 2003 | 68 | 4,572 | 0.3005% |
| 2004 | 74 | 4,369 | 0.2867% |
| 2005 | 83 | 3,963 | 0.2592% |
| 2006 | 89 | 3,780 | 0.2414% |
| 2007 | 99 | 3,390 | 0.2149% |
| 2008 | 94 | 3,534 | 0.2287% |
| 2009 | 87 | 3,610 | 0.2415% |
| 2010 | 88 | 3,347 | 0.2323% |
| 2011 | 87 | 3,355 | 0.2355% |
| 2012 | 81 | 3,403 | 0.2388% |
| 2013 | 63 | 3,976 | 0.2793% |
| 2014 | 58 | 4,339 | 0.2978% |
| 2015 | 62 | 4,313 | 0.2964% |
| 2016 | 56 | 4,422 | 0.3067% |
| 2017 | 55 | 4,270 | 0.3059% |
| 2018 | 55 | 4,127 | 0.3004% |
| 2019 | 61 | 3,895 | 0.2877% |
| 2020 | 72 | 3,285 | 0.2581% |
| 2021 | 79 | 2,958 | 0.242% |
| 2022 | 77 | 3,005 | 0.2278% |
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Data via SSA.gov.
Names Like Caroline
If you like Caroline, you’ll love these other names like Caroline.
What names are diminutives of Caroline?
A diminutive is a name that’s like Caroline sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Caroline, but shorter.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Popularity | Other Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caddy |
Clarity, whiteness; free man |
Latin |
||
| Callie |
Beautiful one |
Greek |
|
|
| Carey |
Love |
Gaelic |
|
|
| Cari |
Love |
Gaelic |
|
|
| Carla |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Carley |
Free man |
Latin |
|
|
| Carly |
Free man |
Latin |
|
|
| Carol |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Carri |
Free man; pure |
Greek |
|
|
| Carrie |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Carry |
Beloved; friend; free man |
Latin |
|
|
| Cary |
Love; free man |
German |
|
|
| Karla |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Karli |
Free man |
Slavic |
|
| Karlie |
Free man |
Slavic |
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leena |
Light; free man; palm tree |
Slavic |
|
|
| Lina |
Palm tree |
Latin |
|
What names are variants of Caroline?
Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Caroline.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Popularity | Other Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caraleen |
Free man |
German |
||
| Caraleena |
Free man |
German |
||
| Caralin |
Beloved; friend; free man |
Latin |
||
| Caraline |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Caralyn |
Beloved; friend; free man |
Latin |
|
|
| Caralyne |
Free man |
German |
||
| Caralynn |
Free man |
German |
||
| Carileen |
Free man |
German |
||
| Carilena |
Free man |
German |
||
| Carilyn |
Free man |
German |
||
| Carilynne |
Free man |
German |
||
| Carlan |
Free man |
German |
| Carleen |
Free man |
Latin |
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carleena |
Free man |
German |
||
| Carlein |
Free man |
German |
||
| Carlen |
Free man |
German |
||
| Carlene |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Carlin |
Little champion |
Gaelic |
|
|
| Carlina |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Carlinda |
Free man |
German |
||
| Carline |
Free man |
Latin |
|
|
| Carlita |
Free man |
Latin |
|
|
| Carllen |
Free man |
German |
||
| Carlota |
Free man |
Italian |
|
|
| Carlotta |
The Italian equivalent of Charlotte, the feminine form of Charles, meaning “full-grown manhood.” |
Italian |
|
|
| Carlyn |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Carlyna |
Free man |
German |
| Carlyne |
Free man |
Latin |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlynn |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Carlynne |
Free man |
German |
||
| Carola |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Carolan |
Free man |
German |
||
| Carolann |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Carolanne |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Carolein |
Free man |
German |
||
| Caroliana |
Free man |
German |
||
| Carolin |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Carolina |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Carollyn |
Free man |
German |
||
| Carolyn |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Carolyne |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Carolynn |
Free man |
German |
|
| Carolynne |
Free man |
German |
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrolyn |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Charla |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Charleen |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Charleena |
Free man |
German |
||
| Charlena |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Charlene |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Charline |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Charlyne |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Karaleen |
Free man |
German |
||
| Karaleena |
Free man |
German |
||
| Karalina |
Free man |
German |
||
| Karaline |
Free man |
Slavic |
|
|
| Karalyn |
Free man |
Slavic |
|
|
| Karalynna |
Free man |
Slavic |
| Karalynne |
Free man |
Slavic |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karelyn |
Free man |
German |
||
| Karilyn |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Karilynn |
Free man |
German |
||
| Karleen |
English |
|
||
| Karlein |
Free man |
German |
||
| Karlen |
Free man |
Slavic |
||
| Karlena |
Free man |
Slavic |
||
| Karlene |
Free man |
Slavic |
|
|
| Karlina |
Free man |
Slavic |
||
| Karlinka |
Free man |
Slavic |
||
| Karolin |
Free man |
German |
||
| Karolina |
Free man |
Slavic |
|
|
| Karoline |
Free man |
Slavic |
|
|
| Karolinka |
Free man |
Slavic |
| Karolyn |
Free man |
Slavic |
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karolyna |
Free man |
Slavic |
|
|
| Karolyne |
Free man |
Slavic |
|
|
| Karolynn |
Free man |
Slavic |
|
|
| Karolynne |
Free man |
Slavic |
||
| Roline |
German |
|||
| Sharkeen |
Free man |
German |
||
| Sharla |
Free man; a fertile plain |
Hebrew |
|
|
| Sharlena |
Free man |
German |
||
| Sharlene |
Free man |
German |
|
|
| Sharline |
Free man |
German |
||
| Sharlyne |
Free man |
German |
What names sound like Caroline?
If you like how Caroline sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Caroline.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Popularity | Other Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adeline |
Noble one |
German |
|
|
| Carling |
Little champion |
Gaelic |
||
| Carolena |
Free man |
German |
|
| Carolien |
Free man |
German |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolinda |
Free man |
German |
||
| Coraline |
A variant form of Coral. |
Latin |
|
|
| Karina |
Love |
Scandinavian |
|
|
| Karline |
Free man |
Latin |
||
| Katrina |
A German form of Catherine. |
Greek |
|
|
| Madeline |
Woman from Magdala |
English |
|
What names are similar to Caroline?
Find a name that’s like Caroline, but just a little bit different.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Popularity | Other Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice |
Of nobility |
German |
|
|
| Beatrice |
Voyager (through life); blessed |
Latin |
|
|
| Bethany |
House of figs |
Hebrew |
|
|
| Elizabeth |
God is my oath |
Hebrew |
|
|
| Grace |
Gracious one |
English |
|
|
| Helen |
Sun ray, shining light |
Greek |
|
|
| Lucille |
Of the light |
French |
|
|
| Meredith |
Great, noted ruler |
Welsh |
|
| Olive |
Olive tree |
English |
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rebecca |
To join |
Hebrew |
|
Lists With Caroline
Find inspiration in these baby girl name lists featuring the name Caroline.
-
Good Middle Names for Girls You’re Sure to Love // 158 names
Creating the perfect name combination for your daughter is a breeze with good middle names for girls. Get to know these amazing monikers on our list.
-
Old School Girl Names With Retro Charm // 190 names
Travel back in time and tap into vintage vibes with old school girl names. From trendsetters of yesteryear to timeless treasures, we’ve got them all in this beautiful bounty of names.
-
Songs With Girl Names for Your Musical Babe // 107 names
Tap into the power of music for some name inspiration with songs with girl names in them. Check out our list of these musical monikers.
-
Classy Girl Names With Poise and Polish // 151 names
Classy girl names stand out with their chic styling and amazing associations. Browse our list of these bold beauties.
-
Simple Girl Names That Stand Tall // 135 names
Simple girl names have a familiarity and warmth that forever read as “home” to your heart. See which simple stunner catches your eye.
Siblings of Caroline
Mamas with kids named Caroline also have kids with these names.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Popularity | Other Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James |
Supplanter |
English |
|
18 Comments
Caroline
It is my name and I love that it is classic and beautiful.
Free and independent
Amanda
We chose the name Caroline (pronounced CaroLINE not “Carolynn“) after my great grandmother. Her name means “free woman”, and I love that! She is already showing her independence in her little personality.
Greta
When I was pregnant and found out I was having 2 BABY GIRLS I was going crazy because I didn’t have a name for the second daughter! I always had loved the name Arabella and the meaning, but I never thought it went well with the name I had in mind which was the name Addison. I wasn’t sure what names would go well with Addison, but then I started thinking about my middle name! Which is Caroline. Caroline has been a name in our family for a lot of generations but most of the name Caroline was used as a middle name in my family. My great grandmothers name was Carolynne but not Caroline. When I said “Addison and Caroline” to myself, I thought those names went perfectly with each other, so we ended up naming them Addison Jade and Caroline Amalia
Karoline
Karoline is such a beautiful name, and that’s my name!
Olivia
However, your name is with a K instead of a C
Karoline
If all us karolines get together we could run this world easy ! Come on lady’s let’s do it
Karoline
This is just wonderful it’s my own name and I still can believe what it says
Caroline Marquez
I love the name Caroline because it’s my name! I love the name because it is from France and I love Paris and it reminds me of Charles dickens
Jessie Wilson
my husband and I just love old-fashioned names, Caroline is our 3rd kid. our oldest is Arthur, then Margaret and we thought it went together. She is such a fun kid, her name really suits her. We chose the middle name Harriet because of my great aunt. Arthur has the middle name, Walter, from my great-great-uncle. We love going through our family tree and find names. Margaret’s middle name is Clara my grandmother’s cousin’s name. If you’re looking to find old-fashioned names just go through your family tree!
Jayne
Caroline is a classic name that is timeless and isn’t overly popular. Feminine and sweet, it also has family significance in our family as well.
Catherine Smith
My youngest daughter gave birth to my 3rd Granddaughter a few days ago (my eldest daughter has two girls) and has named her Caroline Catherine ! This came as a surprise to me but I’m overjoyed by the choice of this beautiful and classic name
You don’t hear it that often but It’s a lovely name which sounds feminine and classy ( Princess Caroline of Monaco , Caroline Kennedy ) 
Solveig Coleman
Caroline Rose has a southern bell feel to it which was reflective of my time spent growing up in the south. We also have a daughter named Magnolia so I wanted to continue the flower theme.
Chelsea
Vampire Diaries was my guilty pleasure show during our ttc time and the first trimester fatigue and nausea. Caroline was my favorite character.
Dana Kendrick
I am a 5th Generation Houstonian and I met and fell in love with a guy from small town South Carolina, his family all traces back to North and South Carolina…so when we found out we were pregnant on our Honeymoon with our Wedding Night Baby…at first we thought she was a boy and he is a III so we thought we knew his name because he would be a IV but instead we have a girl and ever since I met Trey I loved the name “Caroline” after him being from South “Carolina” so Caroline it was and her middle name is a family name of Elizabeth
Meghan
We chose Caroline because grandma’s middle names are Carol and Caroline, plus we loved the timelessness of a classic name.
Jamie Lynn Balvin
I’ve always loved the name as long as I can remember!
Sarah
We named our daughter after her maternal and paternal great-grandmothers. Her maternal great-grandmother is still alive and her name is Carolyn so we chose Caroline instead. Her paternal great-grandmother is no longer living and her name was Jessie Ruth so we chose the Ruth part of her name as my baby’s middle name. I think Caroline is a wonderfully old-fashioned name that isn’t used enough anymore.
Lara
Her great grandmother on dad’s side was Carol. We liked the song as well!