Caroline
Meaning
Its source is ceorl, an Ancient Germanic name meaning "Freeholder."
Languages used in
This girl's name is used in Dutch, English and French.
Background story
Of all the feminine forms of Carl (and its equivalent Charles), the oldest is probably Carolina, which developed in Latin as a feminine form of Carolinus, itself an elaboration of Carolus.
Carolus Magnus was the Latin name of the first Holy Roman Emperor, a Germanic leader known in the English-speaking world as Charlemagne (French for ''Charles the Great''). He was crowned emperor in 800 A.D., after uniting much of central Europe and building a relatively stable society out of the chaos that followed the fall of Rome.
Charlemagne's widespread fame gave rise to many forms of his name in many languages. Each male form suggested a female equivalent, which in turn changed and developed, so that we see Carolina changed to Caroline, shortened to Carol, and so on.
Find similar names to Caroline
Statistics for the name Caroline (female)
- In USA in 2006, the girl name Caroline was ranked as number 89 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In USA in 2005, the girl name Caroline was ranked as number 81 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In USA in 2004, the girl name Caroline was ranked as number 74 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In USA in 2003, the girl name Caroline was ranked as number 68 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In USA in 2002, the girl name Caroline was ranked as number 67 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In Denmark in 2005, the girl name Caroline was ranked as number 5 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In Denmark in 2004, the girl name Caroline was ranked as number 7 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In Denmark in 2003, the girl name Caroline was ranked as number 6 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In Denmark in 2002, the girl name Caroline was ranked as number 5 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In Denmark in 2001, the girl name Caroline was ranked as number 5 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In Denmark in 2000, the girl name Caroline was ranked as number 6 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In Denmark in 1999, the girl name Caroline was ranked as number 6 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In Denmark in 1998, the girl name Caroline was ranked as number 7 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In Denmark in 1997, the girl name Caroline was ranked as number 10 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In Denmark in 1996, the girl name Caroline was ranked as number 9 on the most popular name for newborn babies