Caroline
Learned borrowing from Latin carolīnus.
Every Caroline since 1880 — 250,719 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Caroline
Caroline is a top-100 name for girls in the United States, ranked #96 in 2025 with 2,646 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 250,719 American babies have been named Caroline. Its peak came in 2000, when 5,029 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Caroline stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Caroline year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,646 | #96 | — | — |
| 2024 | 2,730 | #92 | — | — |
| 2023 | 2,868 | #83 | — | — |
| 2022 | 3,030 | #77 | — | — |
| 2021 | 3,204 | #80 | — | — |
| 2020 | 3,364 | #71 | — | — |
| 2019 | 3,920 | #61 | — | — |
| 2018 | 4,167 | #56 | — | — |
| 2017 | 4,294 | #55 | — | — |
| 2016 | 4,437 | #56 | — | — |
| 2015 | 4,333 | #62 | — | — |
| 2014 | 4,348 | #59 | 6 | #10,939 |
| 2013 | 3,983 | #63 | — | — |
| 2012 | 3,421 | #80 | — | — |
| 2011 | 3,370 | #87 | — | — |
| 2010 | 3,360 | #88 | — | — |
| 2009 | 3,624 | #87 | — | — |
| 2008 | 3,545 | #94 | 12 | #6,818 |
| 2007 | 3,409 | #99 | — | — |
| 2006 | 3,791 | #89 | — | — |
| 2005 | 3,974 | #83 | 7 | #9,274 |
| 2004 | 4,379 | #74 | 13 | #5,860 |
| 2003 | 4,585 | #68 | — | — |
| 2002 | 4,657 | #67 | — | — |
| 2001 | 4,864 | #62 | 8 | #7,633 |
| 2000 | 5,022 | #65 | 7 | #8,317 |
| 1995 | 3,799 | #92 | — | — |
| 1990 | 2,819 | #116 | 14 | #4,000 |
| 1985 | 1,751 | #164 | 5 | #6,671 |
| 1980 | 1,313 | #200 | 5 | #6,382 |
| 1975 | 1,232 | #198 | — | — |
| 1970 | 1,371 | #229 | — | — |
| 1965 | 1,815 | #187 | 5 | #3,989 |
| 1960 | 1,210 | #254 | 5 | #4,114 |
| 1955 | 742 | #315 | — | — |
| 1950 | 879 | #257 | — | — |
| 1945 | 1,013 | #197 | — | — |
| 1940 | 1,161 | #172 | 8 | #2,696 |
| 1935 | 1,048 | #178 | — | — |
| 1930 | 1,160 | #172 | 5 | #4,078 |
| 1925 | 1,193 | #185 | — | — |
| 1920 | 1,436 | #159 | — | — |
| 1915 | 1,402 | #137 | — | — |
| 1910 | 553 | #146 | — | — |
| 1905 | 407 | #146 | — | — |
| 1900 | 455 | #135 | — | — |
| 1895 | 484 | #105 | — | — |
| 1890 | 455 | #94 | — | — |
| 1885 | 399 | #78 | — | — |
| 1880 | 306 | #75 | — | — |
Famous people named Caroline
- Caroline of Ansbach Companion · 1683–1737
- Caroline Matilda of Great Britain Nobleman · 1751–1775
- Caroline Herschel Astronomer · 1750–1848
- Caroline of Baden Companion · 1776–1841
- Caroline Bonaparte Politician · 1782–1839
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Caroline mean?
Learned borrowing from Latin carolīnus.
How popular is the name Caroline in 2025?
Caroline ranked #96 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 2,646 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Caroline?
250,719 babies have been named Caroline in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Caroline most popular?
Caroline peaked in 2000, when 5,029 newborns received the name.
Is Caroline a boy or girl name?
Caroline is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Caroline rising or falling?
Caroline is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Caroline?
Well-known people named Caroline include Caroline of Ansbach (companion), Caroline Matilda of Great Britain (nobleman), Caroline Herschel (astronomer).