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Carole Girl

Popularity: · Trend: ↘ Falling

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)

StateBirthsShare
FL 5
100%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19015
190913
19109
191110
191225
191331
191444
191550
191667
191782
191892
191982
1920103
1921143
1922159
1923184
1924204
1925218
1926204
1927213
1928250
1929326
1930425
1931850
19321,317
19332,149
19342,655
19352,680
19363,199
19374,198
19384,616
19394,679
19404,790
19414,966
19428,407
19436,506
19446,268
19454,842
19464,621
19473,826
19483,313
19492,764
19502,218
19511,959
19521,836
19531,635
19541,507
19551,426
19561,418
19571,610
19581,510
19591,416
19601,689
19611,678
19621,382
19631,152
19641,164
1965897
1966755
1967703
1968612
1969532
1970422
1971347
1972289
1973219
1974192
1975189
1976140
1977150
1978133
1979128
1980114
1981118
1982100
1983108
198495
198594
198670
198790
198887
198965
199092
199181
199248
199351
199456
199543
199648
199744
199829
199930
200024
200126
200230
200336
200420
200521
200617
20078
200816
200912
201010
20115
20126
201313
201411
201510
201611
20178
201810
201911
20207
20239