Karol
Primarily a girl's name of Latin origin with 9,648 recorded births. Also given to 1,437 boys.
Meaning & Origin
a male given name from Latin, equivalent to English Charles
Karol is a girl's and boy's baby name of Latin origin, a variant of Carol or Carola, from the Germanic Karl, meaning 'free man' or 'full-grown man,' though the feminine forms carry meanings of strength and freedom equally.
The 'K' spelling is found across Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovak countries, where Karol is traditionally a male name, while in English-speaking and Spanish-speaking communities it functions as feminine. Karol G — the Colombian reggaeton superstar — has given this spelling massive contemporary visibility and Latin cool.
EtymologyShow more
Karol is built from 5 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Latin naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Karol creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Karol was #2765 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #3775, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 267 | #3106 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 714 | #2751 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 1,009 | #2472 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 350 | #3355 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 239 | #3725 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 488 | #2107 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 1,776 | #790 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 2,215 | #622 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 1,951 | #550 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 569 | #1222 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 65 | #3793 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 5 | #5211 | — |
The Story of Karol
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2005, Karol is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Karol are most likely born between 1995 and 2015.
How rare is Karol?
Only about 1 in every 90,000 babies born in 2024 was named Karol — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1918, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1950s with 2,215 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Karol by the numbers
- Would fill 201 school buses
- Meeting one Karol per day would take 26.4 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(104 years, 1918–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 40 | #3775 |
| 2023 | 61 | #2797 |
| 2022 | 59 | #2874 |
| 2021 | 52 | #3137 |
| 2020 | 55 | #2945 |
| 2019 | 72 | #2469 |
| 2018 | 44 | #3533 |
| 2017 | 36 | #4108 |
| 2016 | 43 | #3620 |
| 2015 | 66 | #2700 |
| 2014 | 77 | #2381 |
| 2013 | 66 | #2674 |
| 2012 | 132 | #1634 |
| 2011 | 100 | #1979 |
| 2010 | 78 | #2416 |
| 2009 | 97 | #2096 |
| 2008 | 87 | #2258 |
| 2007 | 149 | #1542 |
| 2006 | 137 | #1578 |
| 2005 | 316 | #818 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Karol as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Karol has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 1,437 births since 1911.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Karol a boy's or girl's name?
When was Karol most popular?
How popular is the name Karol?
Can Karol be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1918–2024