The first name Caroline

In 2025, 25 girls were named Caroline, making it the 1,271st most popular girls’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 242 births (#182).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Caroline with other names.

In 2025, 2,646 girls born in the United States were named Caroline, the 96th most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 2000, when 5,022 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

Spelled Caroline in Danish, French and German too.

Nicknames for Caroline

• Caro
• Carrie
• Cary
• Cal
• Caddy

• Caroline Wozniacki
  Danish tennis player, born 1990
• Caroline Herschel
  German-British astronomer (1750-1848)
• Caroline Kennedy
  American author and diplomat (born 1957)
• Princess Caroline of Monaco
  Eldest child of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, and Grace Kelly, born 1957
• Caroline Garcia
  French tennis player, born 1993
• Caroline Harrison
  First Lady of the United States from 1889 to 1892
• Caroline Aaron
  American actress, born 1952
• Lady Caroline Lamb
  English writer (1785-1828)
• Caroline Sunshine
  American actress and singer (born 1995)
• Caroline Lucas
  British politician, Member of Parliament for the Green Party (born 1960)
• Caroline Rhea
  Canadian actress, born 1964
• Caroline Munro
  English actress and model, born 1949

• Charlotte
• Sophie
• Jean
• Isabelle
• Esme
• Anne
• Amber
• Louise
• Claire
• Eloise
• Jane
• Margot
• Paige
• Josephine
• Madeleine
• Madeline

All 210 names of French origin

What does the name Caroline mean?

Caroline means “charles” in French.

What is the origin of the name Caroline?

Borrowed in the 17th century from French Caroline, from Italian Carolina or its etymon Latin Carolīna, from Latin Carolus (“Charles”), from Middle High German Karl, + -īna (feminine diminutive suffix). By surface analysis, Carol (male given name) + -ine (feminine diminutive suffix). Doublet of…

How popular is the name Caroline?

In 2025, 25 girls born in England and Wales were named Caroline, ranking 1,271st. Its peak was 1996, with 242 births.

What are nicknames for Caroline?

Common nicknames for Caroline include Caro, Carrie, Cary, Cal, Caddy.

Is Caroline a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a girl's name: 100% of the 250,719 US babies named Caroline since 1880 were girls.

When was Caroline most popular?

2000 in the United States, when 5,022 babies were named Caroline, its highest rank at 65th.

How do you pronounce Caroline?

Caroline is /ˈkɛɹ.əˌlaɪn/, 3 syllables.

What are other spellings of Caroline?

Carolina, Carolyn, Karoline and Carline.