How Many People Are Named Carol?
Complete statistics for the name Carol: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Carol is a classic name with roots in Old English, uncommon yet familiar. There are 533,341 people named Carol in the US, making up 1 in 619 Americans. Most Carol's are over 60, reflecting its peak popularity in 1946.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 22 is often associated with leadership and vision, suggesting that people named Carol may possess qualities that enable them to inspire and guide others.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 76All 825,487 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1946Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Carol Through the Generations
Carol has been a staple in American naming conventions since the early 20th century, reaching its zenith in 1946 when 34,457 babies were given this name. Today, it's less common but still cherished, with 533,341 living bearers. The majority of these individuals are over 60, indicating a strong generational association with the name. While its usage has declined, Carol remains a beloved choice for those seeking a timeless moniker.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Carol
Carol is a unisex given name in English, although in contemporary usage it is more commonly used for women. It is a variant of the English Charles, Germanic Carl, and Latin Carolus. Spelling variations include Carroll, Caryl, and Carole.…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Carol's Old English roots
📄 About the Name Carol
How Many People Have the Name Carol?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 1,482 people in the United States currently share the name Carol. That works out to roughly 1 in every 223,650 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Carol a Common or Rare Name?
Carol is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Carol Mean?
Carol means "free-will" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 22.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Carol in SSA data, approximately 1% are male and 99% are female.
When Was Carol Most Popular?
The name Carol reached peak popularity in 1946, with 34,457 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Carol?
Approximately 1,482 people named Carol live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 1,482. That works out to roughly 1 in 223,650 Americans.
Is Carol a rare name?
Carol is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 223,650 Americans has this name.
What does the name Carol mean?
Carol means "free-will" and comes from Old English origins.
Is Carol more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 1% of people named Carol are male and 99% are female.
When was Carol most popular?
Carol peaked in 1946 with 34,457 births that year. Current trend: Declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.