Find out how popular the first name Karol has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Karol by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Karol is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 76% of people named Karol being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 61 female babies and 6 male babies born with the name Karol.

The history of the first name Karol

The name Karol originated from the Germanic word "karl," which means "man" or "free man." It is derived from the ancient Proto-Germanic root "kar," meaning "man" or "warrior." This name has been in use for centuries and has been associated with various cultures and regions throughout history.

In the Middle Ages, the name Karol was widely used in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Poland and Germany. One of the earliest and most notable figures with this name was Karol the Great, better known as Charlemagne, who was the King of the Franks from 768 to 814 CE. He was a renowned monarch who played a significant role in shaping medieval Europe.

The name Karol also has strong connections to Christianity. In the 11th century, Saint Karol Borromeo, an Italian cardinal and a leading figure of the Catholic Reformation, was born in 1538 and canonized in 1610. His name has been widely used in Catholic communities across Europe.

Another notable figure with the name Karol was Karol XII, the King of Sweden from 1697 to 1718. He was known for his military campaigns and his efforts to transform Sweden into a great power during the Great Northern War.

In the 20th century, one of the most famous individuals with the name Karol was Karol Wojtyla, who became Pope John Paul II. Born in 1920 in Poland, he was the first non-Italian pope in over 400 years and played a crucial role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe.

Karol Szymanowski, a Polish composer and pianist, was another significant figure who lived from 1882 to 1937. He was a leading representative of the modern Polish music movement and is renowned for his works, which combined Polish folk elements with impressionism and romanticism.

The name Karol has been used across various cultures and regions, including Poland, Germany, Italy, and Sweden, among others. While its origins can be traced back to the ancient Germanic word "karl," it has been embraced by different communities and has become associated with notable historical figures, religious leaders, and cultural icons over the centuries.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Karol was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Karol, please contact us.

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