Caroline

girlLatin and Germanic

Caroline is a girl name of Latin and Germanic, via French origin, meaning “Free woman”.

MeaningFree woman
GenderGirl
OriginLatin and Germanic, via French
PronunciationKAIR-uh-line
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inUnited States, United Kingdom, France, Denmark

Meaning and origin of Caroline

Caroline is the French feminine form of Carolus, the Latin version of Charles, from Germanic karl, 'free man'. It came into English through royalty: Caroline of Ansbach was the queen of George II. The name has remained steadily used for three centuries, with notable bearers like Caroline Herschel, the astronomer, and Caroline Kennedy.

Is Caroline a religious name?

Caroline has no particular religious background; it is a classic European royal name.

How popular is Caroline?

A long-standing classic, still well used in the US and Europe.

Gifts with the name Caroline

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Spellings and variants of Caroline

CarolinaCarolynKarolineCarrieCarol

Names similar to Caroline

More girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Caroline mean?

Caroline means 'Free woman'. It is of Latin and Germanic, via French origin.

Does Caroline have a religious meaning?

Caroline has no particular religious background; it is a classic European royal name.

How do you pronounce Caroline?

Caroline is pronounced KAIR-uh-line.

Is Caroline a boy or girl name?

Caroline is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.