Carol - Name Meaning and Origin

The girl's name Carol \c(a)-rol\ is pronounced KARE-ul. It is of English origin. Originally a male name, an Anglicized form of Carolus (see Charles). Probably originated as a short form of Caroline, not from "Christmas carol". First used toward the end of the 19th century. The French form Carole was made famous in the mid-20th century by actress Carole Lombard. It is sometimes paired with a monosyllabic second name, as in Carol-Ann. Actresses Carol Burnett, Carol Channing; skater Carol Heiss; playwright Caryl Churchhill.

Carol has 84 variant forms: Carel, Carey, Cari, Carla, Carleen, Carlene, Carley, Carlin, Carlina, Carline, Carlita, Carlota, Carlotta, Carly, Carlyn, Carlynn, Carlynne, Caro, Carola, Carole, Carolena, Carolin, Carolina, Carolinda, Caroline, Caroll, Caroly, Carolyn, Carolynn, Carolynne, Carri, Carrie, Carrola, Carroll, Carrolyn, Carry, Cary, Caryl, Caryll, Charla, Charleen, Charlena, Charlene, Charlotta, Charmain, Charmaine, Charmian, Charmion, Charyl, Cheryl, Cherlyn, Ina, Karel, Kari, Karla, Karleen, Karli, Karlie, Karlina, Karlinka, Karlote, Karlotta, Karol, Karole, Karolina, Karyl, Karyll, Karryl, Karryll, Kerril, Kerryl, Keryl, Lola, Loleta, Lolita, Lotta, Lotte, Lotti, Lottie, Sharleen, Sharlene, Sharline, Sharmain and Sharmain.

For more information, see also related names Callie and Kallie.

Baby names that sound like Carol are Carlla, Carli and Coral.

Carol is a very popular female first name and a very popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the girl's name Carol. Click here to compare Carol with related baby names.