Carrol
Primarily a boy's name of Irish origin with 6,067 recorded births. Also given to 4,252 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname from Irish, a less common spelling of Carroll, derived from the Irish Ó Cearbhaill.
Carrol is a boy's and girl's baby name of Irish origin, a variant spelling of Carroll, an Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Cearbhaill, meaning 'descendant of Cearbhall' — a personal name possibly meaning 'fierce in battle.'
Carrol was used as a masculine given name in the early-to-mid 20th century, particularly in Irish-American communities. It carries the same Celtic warrior heritage as Carroll, in a slightly simplified spelling form.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Carrol is rooted in the Irish tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1890 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
With 6,067 recorded U.S. births, Carrol has clearly resonated across communities. Names that reach this level of adoption typically carry a sound that works in multiple accents and cultural contexts — a kind of phonetic universality.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Carrol has 91+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1890.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 51 | #5421 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 111 | #3477 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 208 | #1821 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 481 | #1146 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 1,204 | #593 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 1,705 | #433 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 1,465 | #508 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 725 | #705 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 83 | #826 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 34 | #1024 | — |
The Story of Carrol
A Silent Generation name
Peaking in 1930, Carrol is an elegant vintage name. Boys named Carrol are most likely born between 1920 and 1940.
How rare is Carrol?
Carrol has 6,067 recorded births in the U.S. — a well-established name with deep roots.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1890, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1930s with 1,705 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Carrol by the numbers
- Would fill 126 school buses
- Meeting one Carrol per day would take 16.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(91 years, 1890–1989)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 8 | #5708 |
| 1988 | 5 | #7440 |
| 1987 | 6 | #6207 |
| 1983 | 8 | #4565 |
| 1982 | 10 | #3998 |
| 1981 | 7 | #5019 |
| 1980 | 7 | #5008 |
| 1979 | 6 | #5455 |
| 1978 | 8 | #4206 |
| 1977 | 9 | #3882 |
| 1976 | 16 | #2621 |
| 1975 | 14 | #2777 |
| 1974 | 15 | #2566 |
| 1973 | 6 | #4577 |
| 1972 | 8 | #3668 |
| 1971 | 16 | #2379 |
| 1970 | 13 | #2640 |
| 1969 | 23 | #1738 |
| 1968 | 19 | #1847 |
| 1967 | 16 | #1982 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Carrol as a Girl's Name
Carrol is a true unisex name. As a girl's name, it has 4,252 recorded births since 1907.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carrol a boy's or girl's name?
When was Carrol most popular?
How popular is the name Carrol?
Can Carrol be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1890–1989