Carolina

ca-ro-LINE-uh; ca-ro-LEEN-uh

Variation of Caroline; also place-name

"free man"

Carolina Origin and Meaning

The name Carolina is a girl's name of French origin meaning "free man".

Romantic, and classy, this variation heats up Caroline and modernizes Carol, adding a southern accent. A popular choice in Portugal, Spain, Mexico, and Italy, it recently entered the US Top 500.

Pronounced Caro-LINE-a in English-speaking countries, it is heard as Caro-LEEN-a in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. Nicknames can include Caro and Lina, as well as Carrie.

A prominent bearer is Venezuelan fashion designer Carolina Herrera (born Maria Carolina), who has designed clothes for First Ladies from Jacqueline Kennedy to Michele Obama. A hauntingly melodic theme song in James Taylor's 'Carolina on My Mind.'

With the exception of two years during the 50s, Carolina has ranked in the US Top 1000 since the stats began in the 1880s, never overly popular, but never out of style either.

Carolina Rank in US Top 1000

# 428 in the US

Carolina Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

# 985 on Nameberry

Popularity of the name Carolina

• 428 US 2024
• 985 Nameberry 2025
• 765 Future 2028
• 975 England 2020
• 147 Germany 2016
• 96 Spain 2023
• 6 Portugal 2023
• 48 Mexico 2021
• 196 Switzerland 2021

20 Names Similar to Carolina

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Carolina.

• Bethany
• Erica
• Carolyn
• Elsa
• Julie
• Kathryn
• Marilyn
• Carla
• Cassie
• Caitlin
• Megan
• Kirsten
• Katie
• Monica
• Alison
• Marie
• Sara
• Becca
• Chelsea
• Leslie

Famous People Named Carolina

• Carolina Herrera Venezuelan,American fashion designer
• Carolina Evelyn Klüft Swedish Olympic heptathlete
• Carolina Östberg Swedish opera singer
• Carolina Raquel Duer Argentine world champion boxer
• Carolina kostner Italian figure skater
• Carolina Cuomo daughter of journalist Chris Cuomo

The name Carolina in Pop Culture

• Agent Carolina character in the Rooster Teeth series, Red vs Blue
• North Carolina and South Carolina USA
• Breathe Carolina American rock band
• Carolina Liar American rock band
• Carolina Chocolate Drops American folk rock band
• "Carolina On My Mind" James Taylor song
• "Oh My Sweet Carolina " song by Ryan Adams
• "Carolina Rose " a song by Gloriana
• Carolina Rose a flower