Caroline

Meaning of Caroline

Caroline is the feminine form of Charles, meaning "free man."

Caroline has German roots — browse every German baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Caroline

Caroline has held fairly steady, sitting around #96 in 2025 after peaking at #55 in 2017.

Notable people named Caroline

• Caroline Kennedy
  American author and diplomat
• Princess Caroline of Monaco
  Eldest child of Grace Kelly
• Caroline Wozniacki
  Professional tennis player
• Caroline Rhea
  Canadian actress and comedian
• Caroline Polachek
  American singer and songwriter

More German names

Questions about the name Caroline

What does the name Caroline mean?

Caroline means caroline is the feminine form of charles, meaning "free man.", and it comes from German origins.

Is Caroline a boy's or a girl's name?

Caroline is most commonly used as a girl's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Caroline?

In 2025, Caroline ranked #96 for girls, down from #92 the year before.

When was Caroline most popular?

Caroline peaked at #55 in 2017.