Carole
Carole is the French feminine form of Carol, derived from the masculine name Charles, meaning 'free woman' or 'song of happiness.' It gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the early-to-mid 20th century.
Current Popularity
#10258 for girls
in the United States (2025)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •The '-e' ending gives it a distinctly French flair compared to 'Carol'
- •Most popular during the 1940s-1950s, now considered retro-chic
- •Easy to spell and pronounce across most languages
- •Has a warm, musical quality befitting its connection to 'carol' (song)
Similar Names
Famous People
Carole King
Singer-songwriter and composer
Carole Lombard
Golden Age Hollywood actress
Carole Bouquet
French actress and former Bond girl
Carole Baskin
Big cat rights activist and TV personality
Statistics
110,688
Total births since 1880
1942
Peak year
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