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.

Carole Rank in US Top 1000

# 931 in the US

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