Carroll Unisex

Popularity: — · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAR-uhl //ˈkɛr.əl//

Origin: Irish; English

Meaning: Irish: 'descendant of Cearbhall'; English: 'from the old fort'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Carroll has its origins in the Irish surname O'Carroll, derived from the Gaelic "O'Ceatharlach," which means "descendant of Ceatharlach." The name Ceatharlach itself is believed to mean "the one who is strong in battle." The transition from Gaelic to English occurred during the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century, which led to the anglicization of many Irish names, including O'Carroll to Carroll. This surname was adopted as a given name in English-speaking contexts, particularly in the 19th century.

Historically, the O'Carroll family was prominent in Ireland, particularly in the region of Offaly, where they were known as lords and significant landowners. The name is associated with various historical figures, including the 12th-century Irish chieftain, who was a notable leader during the turbulent times of the Anglo-Norman invasion.

The name also appears in literary contexts, most famously with Lewis Carroll, the pen name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, who authored the beloved children's classics "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass" in the 19th century. His works have had a lasting impact on English literature and culture.

Culturally, the name Carroll has been associated with themes of creativity and whimsy, particularly due to its connection with Lewis Carroll. The name evokes a sense of imagination and playfulness, resonating with the fantastical elements found in his writings.

Additionally, the name has been embraced in various artistic and literary contexts, further cementing its significance in English-speaking cultures. The diminutive form "Carrie" has also emerged from Carroll, although it is more commonly associated with feminine usage.

Overall, the name Carroll carries a rich historical and cultural legacy, reflecting its Irish roots and its evolution within English literature.

Famous people named Carroll

In this section, you will find notable people named Carroll. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Carroll who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Carroll who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Carroll O'Connor was an actor best known for All in the Family, In the Heat of the Night, and Kelly's Heroes.

Carroll Baker is an actress best known for Baby Doll, The Carpetbaggers, and The Game of Love.

Carroll Shelby was an automotive designer and racing driver best known for the Shelby Cobra, Ford Mustang, and his work with Carroll Shelby International.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Carroll, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

CarterCameronCalebColinConnorCyrus

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Carroll. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

CarlKirkCoryKellanCadenKieranCecilCyrus

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Carroll was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Carroll has ranked as high as #374 nationally, which occurred in 1943, and has been most popular in Texas, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and Louisiana.

In the past 5 years the name Carroll has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Carroll is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Carroll was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Carroll.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2023 8 8 0
2022 5 0 5
2021 11 11 0
2019 9 9 0
2018 8 8 0
2017 11 5 6
2016 10 10 0
2015 9 9 0
2014 6 6 0
2013 15 15 0
2012 13 13 0
2011 7 7 0
2010 9 9 0
2009 9 9 0
2008 9 9 0
2007 13 8 5
2006 16 16 0
2005 13 8 5
2004 12 12 0
2003 15 15 0
2002 10 10 0
2001 14 14 0
2000 12 12 0
1999 17 17 0
1998 27 15 12
1997 32 23 9
1996 26 18 8
1995 37 29 8
1994 35 22 13
1993 33 26 7
1992 47 32 15
1991 40 31 9
1990 63 46 17
1989 59 51 8
1988 52 47 5
1987 60 46 14
1986 61 51 10
1985 90 60 30
1984 60 47 13
1983 78 69 9
1982 87 66 21
1981 80 67 13
1980 92 78 14
1979 93 71 22
1978 93 62 31
1977 109 88 21
1976 107 85 22
1975 108 93 15
1974 117 98 19
1973 152 118 34
1972 156 134 22
1971 175 145 30
1970 193 148 45
1969 200 156 44
1968 219 172 47
1967 229 184 45
1966 238 183 55
1965 226 177 49
1964 266 205 61
1963 320 263 57
1962 295 233 62
1961 325 264 61
1960 363 273 90
1959 372 305 67
1958 367 284 83
1957 467 378 89
1956 488 392 96
1955 484 403 81
1954 522 428 94
1953 522 426 96
1952 585 486 99
1951 630 514 116
1950 685 554 131
1949 771 623 148
1948 783 606 177
1947 830 670 160
1946 855 683 172
1945 810 647 163
1944 882 706 176
1943 1,033 825 208
1942 979 788 191
1941 946 783 163
1940 911 755 156
1939 921 788 133
1938 984 827 157
1937 923 779 144
1936 927 789 138
1935 929 810 119
1934 976 874 102
1933 876 773 103
1932 906 816 90
1931 830 750 80
1930 845 757 88
1929 779 707 72
1928 721 655 66
1927 762 694 68
1926 814 738 76
1925 786 731 55
1924 727 669 58
1923 764 700 64
1922 643 589 54
1921 719 669 50
1920 647 607 40
1919 591 530 61
1918 584 521 63
1917 615 563 52
1916 578 541 37
1915 560 527 33
1914 414 382 32
1913 293 264 29
1912 264 256 8
1911 127 113 14
1910 100 89 11
1909 102 87 15
1908 91 77 14
1907 78 72 6
1906 62 62 0
1905 72 72 0
1904 83 70 13
1903 60 60 0
1902 52 52 0
1901 46 46 0
1900 69 69 0
1899 65 60 5
1898 51 51 0
1897 65 58 7
1896 55 50 5
1895 61 61 0
1894 46 46 0
1893 50 50 0
1892 48 48 0
1891 29 29 0
1890 41 41 0
1889 33 33 0
1888 37 37 0
1887 34 34 0
1886 25 25 0
1885 26 26 0
1884 24 24 0
1883 31 31 0
1882 32 32 0
1881 22 22 0
1880 26 26 0

Top States for Carroll (1993)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 6
100%