Caroline

Caroline is the feminine version of Charles, a name meaning "strong," "free woman," or "song of happiness," depending on which language root you look at. The name comes from Italian, French and Scottish cultures.

Other feminine names with similar meanings include Briana, Valerie, Matilda and Keren (yes, with two 'E's) which mean strength or bravery — plus Alaia, Abigail, Bliss, Edith, Gwyneth, Lykke, and of course Joy, all of which reference happiness. Other names meaning "free" include Blythe, Carla, Charlotte, Fanny, Isra, and Saoirse.

Caroline reached its first popularity peak in the U.S. in the 1960s, dropping off for a few decades before making an immense resurgence and an all-time peak in 2000. But it remains relatively popular and has stuck it out in the top 100 names for girls the past few years (#55 in 2018).

If you want a simpler "Ca-" name, try Caddy, Carys, Carrie, Carey, Callie, Carla, Cari, or Carol. (Honestly, most of those would make pretty stellar nicknames for Caroline too.) Other long, elegant "C" names include Camellia, Charlotta, Cecilia, Catalina, Clementine, Catalaya, Collette, Cordelia, Carpathia, Clarissa, Cassandra, Christiana, and Calliope.

Famous Carolines include: Caroline of Ansbach, the German wife of English King George II; Lady Caroline Lamb, the poet Lord Byron's lover; politician Caroline Kennedy; author Caroline Leavitt; TV host Caroline Flack; actor Caroline Rhea; and singer Caroline Alvares.

Caroline in quotes:

"Everyone thinks that a new place or a new identity will jumpstart a new life." — Caroline Leavitt

“Sometimes it takes a while to recognize that someone has a special ability to get us to believe in ourselves, to tie that belief to our highest ideals, and to imagine that together we can do great things." — Caroline Kennedy