Girl · 77th of 35,406
Caroline
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
248,055
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2000
Peak Popularity Year
5,029
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Caroline stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Caroline is a name of French and Latin origin, meaning 'free man' and 'dear'. It evolved from the Latin 'Carolus' and became popular in the 18th century, particularly in royal circles. Today, it is viewed as a timeless and elegant name, with various common variants. There is no direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkærəlaɪn/
Origin
French and Latin
Etymology
The name Caroline is derived from the French form of the Latin name Carolus, which means 'free man'. It is often associated with the Latin word 'carus', meaning 'dear' or 'beloved'.
Meaning
free man, dear, beloved
Language Evolution
Carolus (Latin), Carolina (Old French), Caroline (Modern French)
Historical Usage
Caroline became popular in the 18th century, particularly in royal families across Europe. It was widely used in English-speaking countries by the 19th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Carol, Carrie, Carly, Carole
Modern Popularity & Image
Caroline is perceived as a classic and elegant name. It maintains a timeless quality and is often associated with grace and femininity.
Famous People
Caroline Kennedy, Caroline Wozniacki, Caroline Flack, Caroline of Ansbach
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 5,029 peak births in 2000
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in South Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 5870th of 7545 | 17 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4298th of 6773 | 44 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 6024th of 7552 | 16 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 5920th of 10718 | 44 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5770th of 16616 | 113 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 11426th of 24088 | 64 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 21740th of 23106 | 6 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 165th of 9107 | 24,725 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 182nd of 9204 | 20,529 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 244th of 12526 | 22,499 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 220th of 19264 | 21,180 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 118th of 27321 | 40,269 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 77th of 35406 | 65,185 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 69th of 30306 | 44,661 |