Carol
Meaning of Carol
The name Carol is a timeless and classic choice for a baby girl, with roots deeply embedded in English-speaking cultures. Pronounced as KAHR-uhl (/ˈkarəl/), this name has variations such as Carole and Carroll. Carol finds its origins in the Old Germanic word "Karl," meaning "free man," but it became more commonly associated with the French term "carole," referring to a joyous song or dance, particularly those sung during Christmas celebrations. This association lends the name an air of festivity and cheerfulness.
Carol enjoyed immense popularity in the mid-20th century, peaking impressively between the 1940s and 1960s when it consistently ranked within the top names for newborn girls in the United States. However, its usage has seen a gradual decline over recent decades. Despite this, Carol remains a beloved name that evokes warmth and nostalgia, often reminding people of iconic figures such as actress Carol Burnett or singer Carole King. Whether chosen for its melodic sound or its historical significance, Carol continues to be a cherished option for parents seeking a name with enduring charm and grace.
Pronunciation
British English
- Pronunced as KAHR-uhl (/ˈkarəl/)
American English
- Pronunced as KAHR-uhl (/ˈkɑrəl/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Carol
| Carol II of Romania - Carol II was the King of Romania from 1930 to 1940, known for being the first Hohenzollern king born in Romania and raised in the Orthodox faith. |
| Carol Creighton Burnett is an American comedian, actress, and singer known for her groundbreaking comedy-variety show The Carol Burnett Show and her numerous accolades, including six Primetime Emmy Awards and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. |
| Carol Moseley Braun - Carol Elizabeth Moseley Braun is an American diplomat, politician, and lawyer who represented Illinois in the United States Senate from 1993 to 1999. |
| Carol Elaine Channing was a renowned American actress, comedian, singer, and dancer known for her distinctive voice and expressive performances in Broadway and film musicals. |
| Carol McKinney Highsmith is an American photographer, author, and publisher known for capturing the entire American vista in all fifty U.S. states as a record of the early 21st century. |
| Carol Jean Vorderman is a Welsh broadcaster, media personality, and writer known for her long-running role on the Channel 4 game show Countdown. |
| Carol W. Greider - Carolyn Widney Greider is an American molecular biologist and Nobel laureate who became a Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2020. |
| Carol Kane - Carolyn Laurie Kane is an American actress known for her roles in Hester Street, Dog Day Afternoon, Annie Hall, The Princess Bride, and Scrooged. |
| Carol Susan Dweck is an American psychologist known for her work on motivation and mindset, currently holding the Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professorship of Psychology at Stanford University. |
| Carol Ann Shields was an American-born Canadian novelist and short story writer, best known for her award-winning novel The Stone Diaries. |
| Carol Lynn Pearson - Carol Lynn Wright Pearson is an American poet, author, and playwright known for her advocacy for LGBT acceptance and her memoir Goodbye, I Love You. |
| Carol Alt is an American model and actress known for her work in the fashion industry and film. |
| Carol Ann Mason is a renowned Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology at Columbia University, known for her groundbreaking research on restoring vision to the blind through studying axon guidance in visual pathways. |
| Carol Arthur DeLuise, also known as Carol Arthur, was an American actress known for her supporting roles in films directed by Mel Brooks. |
| Carol Berg is a renowned author of fantasy novels, known for her works such as the Rai-Kirah series, Song of the Beast, The Bridge of D'Arnath series, the Lighthouse novels, and Collegia Magica, and also writes under the pen name Cate Glass for the Chimera series. |
