Caroline
Girl name · 4,892 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Caroline: 4,892 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 396 births in 1974.
Caroline is the elegant French feminine form of Charles, which traces back to the Germanic *karlaz, meaning "free man." The name arrived in Scotland via the Stuart dynasty—Caroline of Ansbach became queen consort to George II, while the tragic Caroline of Brunswick married George IV. More recent bearers include the American author and diplomat Caroline Kennedy and the pioneering astronomer Caroline Herschel, who discovered several comets. The Caroline Islands in the Pacific were named in honour of Charles II of Spain, sharing the same etymological root. A notable variant, Carolina, is used throughout Europe and the Americas, and the name has enjoyed steady popularity in Scotland since the 1970s, often chosen for its classic yet softly romantic sound.
Girl 43 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 1974396 babies
- Latest (2019)
- #7653 babies
- Total births
- 4,892since 1974
- 5-year trend
- ▼ 26%vs prior 5y