What Does the Name Caroline Mean?
Caroline is a girl's name of Latin origin meaning “"Free man" (feminine of Charles).”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Caroline |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Latin |
| Meaning | "Free man" (feminine of Charles) |
| Variants | Carolina, Karoline, Carolyn, Charlotte |
| Popularity | A classic that has held a steady place in the US top 100 for girls for many decades. |
The meaning and origin of Caroline
The name Caroline means “"Free man" (feminine of Charles)” and has Latin origins. A feminine form of Charles, from the Germanic 'Karl' meaning 'free man' or 'warrior', via the Latin Carolus. It has been used by European royalty for centuries.
Variants and related names
Caroline is related to several other names you may recognize: Carolina, Karoline, Carolyn, Charlotte. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Caroline?
A classic that has held a steady place in the US top 100 for girls for many decades.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Caroline mean?+
The name Caroline means “"Free man" (feminine of Charles)” and is of Latin origin.
What is the origin of the name Caroline?+
Caroline originates from Latin.
Is Caroline a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Caroline has trended in the US over time.
Caroline by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press