Carole Girl
Origin(s)
PronunciationKAR-uhl / /ˈkɛr.əl/French; English
Meaning
French: free man; English: strong
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Carole has its roots in the Old French name "Carole," which is derived from the Germanic name "Karl," meaning "free man." The name Karl evolved into various forms across different languages, including the Latin "Carolus," which was used in medieval texts. The transition into English occurred through Norman influence after the Conquest of England in the 11th century, where the name began to be adopted in various forms, including Carol and Carole, particularly as a feminine variant.
Historically, the name Carole has been associated with notable figures, including Saint Carolus Borromeo, a 16th-century cardinal and reformer in the Catholic Church, who was canonized in 1610. The name gained further prominence through literary works, such as Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" published in 1843, which popularized the term "carol" as a song of joy, particularly during the Christmas season. The name's association with music and celebration has contributed to its enduring appeal.
Culturally, Carole has been linked to themes of joy and festivity, often evoking images of communal singing and celebration. The name has also been used in various artistic contexts, reinforcing its connection to creativity and expression. Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Carrie" have emerged, further enriching the name's historical tapestry. Overall, Carole reflects a blend of linguistic evolution and cultural significance that has allowed it to resonate through centuries.
Trend Summary
Carole experienced peak popularity in the mid-20th century but has since declined in usage.
Similar Names
Variants
- Carolee
- Carolina
International Variants
- Carole (French)
- Carolina (Spanish)
- Karol (Polish)
Famous people named Carole
Carole King is a singer-songwriter best known for Tapestry, You've Got a Friend, and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.
Carole Lombard is an actress best known for My Man Godfrey, To Be or Not to Be, and Nothing Sacred.
Carole Bayer Sager is a songwriter best known for writing hits like That's What Friends Are For, Arthur's Theme, and Don't Cry Out Loud.
Carole Radziwill is a television personality and author best known for her role on The Real Housewives of New York City and her book What Remains.
Fictional characters named Carole
Carole is a fictional character from the film Carole & Tuesday. She is a young musician striving to make her mark in a futuristic world dominated by artificial intelligence.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Carole was first seen in the United States in 1901. Carole has ranked as high as #63 nationally, which occurred in 1942, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Carole has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Carole (2001)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
FL | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1901 | 5 |
1909 | 13 |
1910 | 9 |
1911 | 10 |
1912 | 25 |
1913 | 31 |
1914 | 44 |
1915 | 50 |
1916 | 67 |
1917 | 82 |
1918 | 92 |
1919 | 82 |
1920 | 103 |
1921 | 143 |
1922 | 159 |
1923 | 184 |
1924 | 204 |
1925 | 218 |
1926 | 204 |
1927 | 213 |
1928 | 250 |
1929 | 326 |
1930 | 425 |
1931 | 850 |
1932 | 1,317 |
1933 | 2,149 |
1934 | 2,655 |
1935 | 2,680 |
1936 | 3,199 |
1937 | 4,198 |
1938 | 4,616 |
1939 | 4,679 |
1940 | 4,790 |
1941 | 4,966 |
1942 | 8,407 |
1943 | 6,506 |
1944 | 6,268 |
1945 | 4,842 |
1946 | 4,621 |
1947 | 3,826 |
1948 | 3,313 |
1949 | 2,764 |
1950 | 2,218 |
1951 | 1,959 |
1952 | 1,836 |
1953 | 1,635 |
1954 | 1,507 |
1955 | 1,426 |
1956 | 1,418 |
1957 | 1,610 |
1958 | 1,510 |
1959 | 1,416 |
1960 | 1,689 |
1961 | 1,678 |
1962 | 1,382 |
1963 | 1,152 |
1964 | 1,164 |
1965 | 897 |
1966 | 755 |
1967 | 703 |
1968 | 612 |
1969 | 532 |
1970 | 422 |
1971 | 347 |
1972 | 289 |
1973 | 219 |
1974 | 192 |
1975 | 189 |
1976 | 140 |
1977 | 150 |
1978 | 133 |
1979 | 128 |
1980 | 114 |
1981 | 118 |
1982 | 100 |
1983 | 108 |
1984 | 95 |
1985 | 94 |
1986 | 70 |
1987 | 90 |
1988 | 87 |
1989 | 65 |
1990 | 92 |
1991 | 81 |
1992 | 48 |
1993 | 51 |
1994 | 56 |
1995 | 43 |
1996 | 48 |
1997 | 44 |
1998 | 29 |
1999 | 30 |
2000 | 24 |
2001 | 26 |
2002 | 30 |
2003 | 36 |
2004 | 20 |
2005 | 21 |
2006 | 17 |
2007 | 8 |
2008 | 16 |
2009 | 12 |
2010 | 10 |
2011 | 5 |
2012 | 6 |
2013 | 13 |
2014 | 11 |
2015 | 10 |
2016 | 11 |
2017 | 8 |
2018 | 10 |
2019 | 11 |
2020 | 7 |
2023 | 9 |