Carole

English, feminine variation of Charles
"free man"

Carole Origin and Meaning

The name Carole is a girl's name.

Carole is a feminine name of French origin, derived from the masculine name Charles, ultimately from Germanic roots meaning 'free man' or 'strong.' Popularized in English-speaking countries during the mid-20th century, Carole reached its peak popularity in the 1940s and 1950s, boosted by celebrities like Carole Lombard. The spelling with an 'e' ending gives it a distinctly French flair compared to the variant Carol. Though less common for newborns today, Carole retains a classic, elegant image. The name carries musical associations through the tradition of Christmas carols and gained recognition through famous bearers like singer-songwriter Carole King. Its timeless quality balances tradition with a warm, approachable character.

# 931 in the US

Carole Rank in US Top 1000

Famous People Named Carole

  • Carole King (born Carol Joan Klein)
    American singer,songwriter
  • Carole Lombard (born Jane Alice Peters)
    American actress
  • Carole DiFalco Radziwill
    American realty TV personality ("Real Housewives of New York")
  • Carole Landis (born Frances Lillian Mary Ridste)
    American actress
  • Carole Elizabeth Middleton
    mother of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
  • Carole Mathews
    American actress
  • Carole Bouquet
    French actress
  • Carole Bayer Sager
    American songwriter
  • Carole Denise Fredericks
    American R&B singer
  • Mildred Frances "Carole" Cook
    American actress
  • Carole Shelley
    English actress
  • Carole "Cookie" Cole
    American actress; adopted daughter of singer Nat King Cole
  • Carole Baskin
    owner of Big Cat Rescue, a wild cat sanctuary

The name Carole in Pop Culture

  • Carole Hanson
    character in "The Saddle Club" TV and book series