Karol
Karol is a boy's name of Slavic origin.
Meaning
Free man.
Origin and history
Karol is the Polish and West Slavic form of Charles, derived from the Germanic name Karl. While historically uncommon as a male name in the United States, it is widely recognized internationally due to famous historical figures. In the U.S., it remains a rare choice for boys.
Popularity in the United States
1,437 babies in the United States have been named Karol since 1880. It ranks #3288 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1900.
States where it is most popular
- IL (46.8 %)
- CA (19.9 %)
- TX (16.9 %)
- NY (9.7 %)
- MA (2.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 94 |
| 1920-1930 | 113 |
| 1930-1940 | 124 |
| 1940-1950 | 117 |
| 1950-1960 | 80 |
| 1960-1970 | 32 |
| 1970-1980 | 18 |
| 1980-1990 | 66 |
| 1990-2000 | 131 |
| 2000-2010 | 422 |
| 2010-2019 | 213 |
| 2020-2029 | 27 |
Famous people named Karol
- Karol Wojtyła: Pope, Religious Leader
- Karol Szymanowski: Composer, Pianist
Fun facts
- Karol Wojtyła became Pope John Paul II in 1978, making the name globally recognized.
- Karol is the direct West Slavic equivalent of the English name Charles and German Karl.