Carole
French · Girl · 2 syllables
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Carole
Carole is a feminine form of Charles, derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "man" through the Old German root "karl." The name entered English through French (where it became Carol/Carole) following the Norman Conquest, and has been used primarily in English-speaking, French, and Germanic cultures since the Medieval period, with particular popularity in the 20th century.
Cross-referenced with Behind the Name and Wikidata/Wikipedia. AI-assisted, community-reviewable. Suggest an improvement.
Etymology
Carole is a feminine form of Charles, derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "man" through the Old German root "karl." The name entered English through French (where it became Carol/Carole) following the Norman Conquest, and has been used primarily in English-speaking, French, and Germanic cultures since the Medieval period, with particular popularity in the 20th century.
Carole currently ranks #10,258 in the United States as a girl's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1942.
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Sibling name ideas
French names that sit beautifully beside CaroleSimilar names you might like
Names starting with CMore names starting with C
- Calliope
- Cadence
- Cailyn
- Caleigh
- Cailin
- Cally
- Caila
- Caileigh
- Calleigh
- Caitie
- Calla
- Caitriona
- Caitlinn
- Calebe
- Caellum
- Cadan
- Caius
- Cal
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Names that sound like Carole
Phonetic match, not just spelling"Carl means "free man" or "man" and derives from the Germanic root "karl," which originally referred to a peasant or…"
"Charlie is a diminutive form of Charles, derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "strong man." The…"
"Carla means "free woman" or "strong woman" and derives from the Germanic name Karl, which comes from the Old High…"
"Carlo means "man" or "free man" and derives from the Germanic root "Karl," which evolved through Latin and Romance languages…"
"Charly is a diminutive or informal spelling of Charles, derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "man"…"
"Carel is a Dutch and Flemish form of Charles, derived from the Germanic root "karl" meaning "man" or "free man."…"
"Cyriel is a Dutch and Flemish form of the name Cyriacus, derived from the Latin "Cyriacus," which comes from the…"
"The name 'Charley' is a diminutive of 'Charles', meaning "free man," derived from the Germanic element *karlaz*."
"Carol derives from the Latin name Carolus, meaning "man" or "free man," with roots in the Germanic element *karl*."
"The given name 'Carroll' is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name *Cearbhall*, meaning "fierce in battle" or "warrior,"…"
"Charli is a modern English diminutive or informal spelling of Charlie, which derives from the name Charles, ultimately rooted in…"
"Carley is a modern English feminine variant of the name Carla, which derives from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free…"