Carolina
Carolina is a girl's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Free person or strong woman.
Origin and history
Carolina is a feminine name of Latin origin, derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning 'free person'. It has long been used in both Europe and the Americas, often associated with historical royalty and geographic place names like the U.S. Carolinas. In the United States, it remains a steadily popular choice for girls with broad classic appeal.
Popularity in the United States
47,971 babies in the United States have been named Carolina since 1880. It ranks #605 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #442.
States where it is most popular
- CA (27.8 %)
- TX (26.5 %)
- FL (8.4 %)
- NY (6.3 %)
- IL (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 179 |
| 1890-1900 | 249 |
| 1900-1910 | 375 |
| 1910-1920 | 817 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,347 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,069 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,102 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,103 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,787 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,593 |
| 1980-1990 | 4,756 |
| 1990-2000 | 9,848 |
| 2000-2010 | 11,073 |
| 2010-2019 | 7,499 |
| 2020-2029 | 4,174 |
Famous people named Carolina
- Carolina Herrera: Fashion Designer, Businesswoman
- Carolina Marin: Badminton Player, Athlete
- Carolina Kostner: Figure Skater, Athlete
Nicknames
Carol, Carrie, Lina, Caro
Fun facts
- Carolina is the Latinized feminine form of Carolus, the Latin version of the name Charles.
- The name shares its spelling with the U.S. states of North and South Carolina, named in honor of King Charles I of England.