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Carole

Girl name · 433 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Carole: 433 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 55 births in 1974.

Carole is a feminine form of Carol, itself derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning “free man.” It shares its root with Charles and Caroline, and became popular in English-speaking countries during the early 20th century. Famous bearers include actress Carole Lombard, known for her screwball comedies, and singer-songwriter Carole King, whose album *Tapestry* remains a landmark of 1970s music. The name also appears in the classic Christmas carol “Good King Wenceslas,” though the connection is purely coincidental. As a variant of Carol, Carole was especially common in the mid-1900s, but has since become less frequent, giving it a retro charm for parents seeking a name with mid-century elegance.

Girl 19 of 52 years

Peak year
197455 babies
Latest (1993)
#5474 babies
Total births
433since 1974
5-year trend
▼ 57%vs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 1974 · 55
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).