Karol

free man
Poland origin · Unisex name
13% boys87% girls
#2797US 2023
61Births / yr
Rising
10.9kAll-time births
📅 Since 191800.02% of births at peak
How to pronounce Karol
kar-awl(polish)
/kar-awl(polish)/ · · 2 syllables
free man
Poland origin · Unisex name

What does Karol mean and where does it come from?

Karol is a feminine form derived from the male name Karl, which means 'free man' or 'manly'. It is particularly popular in Poland and the Czech Republic. The name has Latin roots and has been used since the Middle Ages. Its popularity in Poland is partly attributed to its association with King Charl

Cultural significance
Karol has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Poland-speaking communities, where it reflects values of polish.
Peak popularity
Reached #492 in 1944 — currently #2797 in the US.
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Related Reading
Poland-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →

What middle names flow best with Karol?

Karol works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Karol Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Karol Rose
Floral · soft ending
Karol Mae
Sweet · timeless
Karol Claire
French influence · crisp
Karol Jane
Literary · strong
Karol Skye
Modern · airy feel
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Middle Names
The best middle names for Karol
Browse ideas →

How popular is Karol right now?

Rising fast — up 77 spots — currently #2797 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 19252023#2797 · Top 2.1%
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2021
2022
2023
YearUS RankBirthsvs Prior Year
2023#279761▲ up 77 · +3% births
2022#287459▲ up 263 · +13% births
2021#313752▼ down 151 · -2% births
2020#298653▼ down 308 · -20% births
2015#267866▼ down 272 · -15% births
2010#240678▼ down 1589 · -75% births
2005#817316▲ up 2128 · +558% births
2000#294548▲ up 488 · +50% births
1995#343332▼ down 625 · -22% births
1990#280841▲ up 2088 · +173% births
1985#489615▼ down 2233 · -57% births
1980#266335▼ down 293 · +3% births
1975#237034▼ down 1200 · -66% births
1970#117099▼ down 426 · -45% births
1965#744181

The story of Karol

Karol entered American naming records in 1918 and has been in use for over 106 years. A total of 10,855 babies have received this name. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #4204 in 1925 to #2797 in 2023. Karol is used for both genders: 87% female and 13% male.

Names that peaked alongside Karol in 1944:

Karol by decade

Karol peaked in the 1940s. See all 1940s names →

DecadeBirths
1910s99
1920s178
1930s693
1940s2,068
1950s2,295
1960s1,809
1970s506
1980s305
1990s481
2000s1,430
2010s927
2020s64

What are good nicknames for Karol?

ENGLISH
CharleyCharlieChasChazChipChuck
FINNISH
Kalle
FRENCH
Charlot
HUNGARIAN
Karcsi

Gender variants of Karol

Charlize AFRIKAANSCarolina ANCIENT GERMANICCarla CATALANKarla CROATIANKarolina CROATIANLina CROATIANKája CZECHKarolína CZECHCaroline DANISHCharlotte DANISHIna DANISHKarla DANISHKarolina DANISHKaroline DANISHLina DANISHLine DANISHLotte DANISHCarla DUTCHCarola DUTCHCarolien DUTCHCaroline DUTCHCharlotte DUTCHLien DUTCHLotte DUTCHCalleigh ENGLISHCallie ENGLISHCari ENGLISHCarla ENGLISHCarlene ENGLISHCarley ENGLISHCarlie ENGLISHCarly ENGLISHCarlyn ENGLISHCarol ENGLISHCarolina ENGLISHCaroline ENGLISHCarolyn ENGLISHCarrie ENGLISHCarry ENGLISHCaryl ENGLISHCharla ENGLISHCharleen ENGLISHCharlene ENGLISHCharlotte ENGLISHIna ENGLISHKallie ENGLISHKarlee ENGLISHKarlene ENGLISHKarly ENGLISHKarolyn ENGLISHKarrie ENGLISHLina ENGLISHLottie ENGLISHSharla ENGLISHSharleen ENGLISHSharlene ENGLISHTottie ENGLISHTotty ENGLISHIina FINNISHKaroliina FINNISHLiina FINNISHLotta FINNISHCarole FRENCHCaroline FRENCHCharline FRENCHCharlotte FRENCHLine FRENCHCarla GERMANCarola GERMANCarolin GERMANCaroline GERMANCharlotte GERMANIna GERMANKarla GERMANKarola GERMANKarolina GERMANKaroline GERMANLotte GERMANKarola HUNGARIANKarolina HUNGARIANLili HUNGARIANSéarlait IRISHCarla ITALIANCarlotta ITALIANCarola ITALIANCarolina ITALIANLina ITALIANKarolina LITHUANIANLina LITHUANIANKarolina MACEDONIANCaroline NORWEGIANCharlotte NORWEGIANIna NORWEGIANKarla NORWEGIANKarolina NORWEGIANKaroline NORWEGIANLina NORWEGIANLine NORWEGIANLotte NORWEGIANKarolina POLISHCarla PORTUGUESECarlota PORTUGUESECarolina PORTUGUESEKarolina SLOVENECarla SPANISHCarlota SPANISHCarolina SPANISHCarola SWEDISHCarolina SWEDISHCaroline SWEDISHCharlotta SWEDISHCharlotte SWEDISHIna SWEDISHKarla SWEDISHKarolina SWEDISHLina SWEDISHLotta SWEDISHLotte SWEDISHLottie SWEDISHCharlemagne HISTORY

Common questions about the name Karol

What does the name Karol mean?
Karol means "Polish" — a name rooted in Poland tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Karol?
Karol is currently a distinctive and less common name as a baby name in the US and is becoming rarer and more distinctive, making it a unique choice that stands out.
What is the cultural origin of Karol?
Karol originates from Poland tradition. Poland names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
Is Karol a common or rare name?
Karol is a distinctive choice that balances familiarity with individuality. It strikes a balance between standing out and fitting in.
Is Karol more of a girl or boy name?
Karol is a genuinely unisex name used for both boys and girls. The unisex quality makes it particularly versatile for modern families.