Of English and Germanic origin.
Short for Caroline.
Derives from the name Charles.
Carol was also used as a masculine name, a form of the Latin name Carolus.
Carol, in English, means a “folk song” or “popular hymn”.
Alternative forms of the name are: Cari, Carole, Carla, Carolina, Karola, Lina, Ina, Callie, Carry, Charlize.
Famous male bearer was British filmmaker Carol Reed.
Famous female bearers are Carol Channing, Carol Harrison, Carol Potter, Carol Ann Duffy, Carol Burnett.