Carol

Meaning of Carol

Carol (pronounced KAHR-uhl) is a name with a melody built right in: it traces back to the Old German Karl—“free person”—yet in English ears it also echoes the festive carols that fill December air. Popularity-wise, she stole the spotlight in the mid-20th century, ranking as high as No. 9 in 1950, and while her chart position has mellowed in recent years, that only adds to her vintage-charm appeal. Culturally, Carol conjures Hollywood glamour (think radiant Carole Lombard), literary intelligence (Carol in Lewis Carroll’s works), and the warm sparkle of Christmas lights. Because the name bridges strength (“free”) and joy (song), parents often find it feels like handing their daughter both sturdy walking shoes and a pair of silver tinkling bells—practical and poetic in one tidy package. In short, Carol offers a familiar yet under-used classic, upbeat but grounded, ready to sing her own tune in any generation.