Carolina Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Carolina is predominantly used for girls. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Carolina?
Carolina is spelled C-A-R-O-L-I-N-A. The name has 8 letters.
Carolina at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for girls
- Meaning
- Carolina is derived from the male name Charles, meaning “free man.”
- Origin
- Carolina is commonly associated with the Latinized form of Charles, which itself originates from the Germanic name Karl.
- Pronunciation
- CAR-oh-lee-nuh · 4 syllables
Carolina Popularity in 2025
Rank#405
Recorded Births769
- Girls usage rose 24 places to #405 and recorded 51 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Carolina Mean?
Carolina is derived from the male name Charles, meaning “free man.”
Origin: Carolina is commonly associated with the Latinized form of Charles, which itself originates from the Germanic name Karl.
How Do You Pronounce Carolina?
PronunciationCAR-oh-lee-nuh
Syllables4
What Is the History of the Name Carolina?
- History
- The name Carolina has been used in various European cultures as a feminine form of Charles over centuries.
Carolina Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 769 | #405 |
| 2024 | Girls | 718 | #429 |
| 2023 | Girls | 730 | #420 |
| 2022 | Girls | 664 | #477 |
| 2021 | Girls | 609 | #511 |
| 2020 | Girls | 684 | #450 |
| 2019 | Girls | 756 | #414 |
| 2018 | Girls | 740 | #420 |
| 2017 | Girls | 722 | #439 |
| 2016 | Girls | 775 | #421 |
| 2015 | Girls | 732 | #432 |
| 2014 | Girls | 788 | #407 |
| 2013 | Girls | 712 | #428 |
| 2012 | Girls | 723 | #432 |
| 2011 | Girls | 729 | #430 |
| 2010 | Girls | 822 | #389 |
| 2009 | Girls | 828 | #387 |
| 2008 | Girls | 925 | #357 |
| 2007 | Girls | 1,020 | #329 |
| 2006 | Girls | 1,196 | #280 |
| 2005 | Girls | 1,133 | #291 |
| 2004 | Girls | 1,270 | #254 |
| 2003 | Girls | 1,216 | #262 |
| 2002 | Girls | 1,074 | #289 |
When Was Carolina Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2004 · Girls
1,270 recorded births
National rank #254
2003 · Girls
1,216 recorded births
National rank #262
2001 · Girls
1,207 recorded births
National rank #265
2000 · Girls
1,204 recorded births
National rank #267
Where Carolina Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Girls
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| TX | #167 | 196 |
| CA | #241 | 137 |
| SC | #294 | 17 |
| NM | #296 | 5 |
| AZ | #306 | 23 |
| FL | #312 | 59 |
| IL | #325 | 33 |
| NV | #328 | 8 |