Caroline \c(a)-roli-ne, car(o)-line\ as a girl's name is pronounced KARE-a-line, KARE-a-lin. It is of Old German origin, and the meaning of Caroline is "free man". From the French form of Latin or Italian Carolina, a feminine derivative of Carolus (see Charles). A stately diminutive with royal connotations, brought to England by George II's queen in the 17th century. The name has a formal, aristocratic, old-fashioned aura. Carolan is an Irish surname. See also Cara, Charlotte, and Karol. Princess Caroline of Monaco; fashion designers Carolina Herrera, Carolyne Roehm; First Daughter Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg; comedian Caroline Rhea.

Caroline has 104 variant forms: Caddy, Callie, Caraleen, Caraleena, Caralin, Caraline, Caralyn, Caralyne, Caralynn, Cari, Carileen, Carilena, Carilyn, Carilynne, Carla, Carlan, Carleen, Carleena, Carlein, Carlen, Carlene, Carley, Carlin, Carlina, Carlinda, Carline, Carlita, Carllen, Carlota, Carlotta, Carly, Carlyn, Carlyna, Carlyne, Carlynn, Carlynne, Caro, Carol, Carola, Carolan, Carolann, Carolanne, Carole, Carolein, Caroliana, Carolin, Carolina, Carolyn, Carolyne, Carolynn, Carolynne, Caroll, Carollyn, Carri, Carrie, Carrolyn, Carry, Cary, Charla, Charleen, Charleena, Charlena, Charlene, Charline, Charlyne, Ina, Karaleen, Karaleena, Karalina, Karaline, Karalyn, Karalynna, Karalynne, Karelyn, Karilyn, Karilynn, Karla, Karleen, Karlein, Karlen, Karlena, Karlene, Karli, Karlie, Karlina, Karlinka, Karolin, Karolina, Karoline, Karolinka, Karolyn, Karolyna, Karolyne, Karolynn, Karolynne, Leena, Lina, Roline, Sharla, Sharkeen, Sharlena, Sharlene, Sharline and Sharlyne.

For more information, see also related names Carey, Charlesetta and Charmaine.

Baby names that sound like Caroline are Karline, Carling, Carolinda, Carolena, Carolien and Coraline.