Carol is a unisex given name in English, although in contemporary usage it is more commonly used for women. It is a variant of the English Charles, the Germanic Carl, and the Latin Carolus. The name ultimately derives from the Proto-Germanic karilaz, meaning "free man."
Etymology and Origin
The name Carol originated as a short form of Caroline, which itself is a feminine derivative of the Germanic name Karl (Charles). The root word karal or ceorl translates to "free man," referring to a person of non-noble but legally free status. In some interpretations, the name is also associated with the Middle English word carol, meaning a joyful song or dance, particularly in connection with Christmas carols.
Spelling Variations
Common spelling variations include: Carroll, Carrol, Caroll, Caryl, Caryll, Karyl, Carole, and Carolle.
Related Names
Related names include: Karol, Caroly, Carola, Carolus, Charles, Carl, Caroline, Carolina, and Carrie.
History and Usage
In English usage, Carol emerged as a female name in the 19th century but achieved peak popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, ranking among the top 10 girls' names from the 1930s through the 1960s. In Romanian, Carol has been used as a masculine name, most notably by two kings of Romania.
Notable People
Women
- Carol Burnett (born 1933) – American comedian and actress
- Carol Channing (1921–2019) – American singer, actress, and comedian
- Carol Moseley Braun (born 1947) – American politician and lawyer, first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Senate
- Carol W. Greider (born 1961) – American molecular biologist and Nobel laureate
- Carol Vorderman (born 1960) – British television presenter
- Carol Kane (born 1952) – American actress
- Carol Ann Duffy (born 1955) – British poet and Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom
Men
- Carol I of Romania (1839–1914) – King of Romania
- Carol II of Romania (1893–1953) – King of Romania
- Carol Reed (1906–1976) – British film director
- Carol Davila (1828–1884) – Romanian physician
Fictional Characters
- Carol Danvers – Marvel Comics superhero, known as Captain Marvel
- Carol Peletier – Character in The Walking Dead comic and television series
- Carol Hathaway – Character in the television series ER
- Carol Willick – Ross Geller's ex-wife in the sitcom Friends
