Caroline Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationKAR-uh-lin / /ˈkær.ə.laɪn/French; Latin
Meaning
French: free man; Latin: strong
Historical & Cultural Background
Caroline is derived from the Latin name Carolus, which means 'man' or 'free man.' It has been used as a feminine name since the Middle Ages, particularly in France. The name gained popularity in the 18th century and has been associated with several queens and noblewomen. In modern times, it is predominantly used as a feminine name, though it has occasionally been used for boys.
Trend Summary
Caroline has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., often ranking within the top 100 names for girls.
Similar Names
Variants
- Carol
- Carole
- Carolina
International Variants
- Carolina (Spanish); Karolina (Polish); Karolína (Czech)
Famous people named Caroline
—
Fictional characters named Caroline
—
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Caroline was first seen in the United States in 1891. Caroline has ranked as high as #1166 nationally, which occurred in 1989, and has been most popular in District of Columbia, and Kentucky. In the past 5 years the name Caroline has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Caroline (2004)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| KY | 9 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1891 | 5 |
| 1914 | 7 |
| 1919 | 5 |
| 1923 | 5 |
| 1928 | 8 |
| 1930 | 5 |
| 1932 | 6 |
| 1937 | 7 |
| 1939 | 5 |
| 1940 | 8 |
| 1942 | 5 |
| 1960 | 5 |
| 1961 | 6 |
| 1962 | 5 |
| 1965 | 5 |
| 1973 | 8 |
| 1974 | 7 |
| 1976 | 9 |
| 1978 | 5 |
| 1979 | 5 |
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1981 | 9 |
| 1982 | 7 |
| 1984 | 10 |
| 1985 | 5 |
| 1986 | 5 |
| 1987 | 11 |
| 1988 | 8 |
| 1989 | 30 |
| 1990 | 14 |
| 1992 | 7 |
| 1994 | 7 |
| 1997 | 5 |
| 1998 | 6 |
| 1999 | 6 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2008 | 12 |
| 2014 | 6 |