UK girl's name
Caprice
Derived from the French word for a whim or fancy, a feminine given name suggesting capriciousness or impulsiveness.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Caprice is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Caprice popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3961, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 94 births.
This profile covers 487 England and Wales registrations across 24 recorded years from 1996 to 2021. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, NRS Scotland and NISRA Northern Ireland, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 5% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 499 living people in the UK are called Caprice. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Caprice ranked #3961 for girls in England and Wales in 2021, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 94 girls were registered as Caprice.
- • Caprice ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #413 in 2007.
- • About 499 living people in the UK are estimated to have Caprice as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3961
2021
Births in 2021
5
Latest year
Peak year
1997
94 births
Estimated living
499
2026
Meaning
What does Caprice mean?
The name Caprice originates from the French language and first appeared during the Middle Ages. It derives from the Latin word "capra," meaning goat, and the diminutive suffix "-ice," which denotes smallness or endearment. As such, the name Caprice initially referred to a small or playful goat, a fitting name for a lively and mischievous child.
In its early usage, the name Caprice was often associated with the concept of a sudden whim or fancy, reflecting the unpredictable nature of a goat's movements. This connotation of capriciousness and whimsy became deeply ingrained in the name's meaning over time.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Caprice can be found in the 14th century French literary work "Le Roman de la Rose," written by Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun. In this allegorical poem, Caprice is personified as a character representing the fickle nature of love and desire.
During the Renaissance period, the name Caprice gained popularity among the French nobility. One notable figure was Caprice de Monicart (1550-1619), a French courtier and poet who served under King Henry IV. Her vibrant personality and poetic talents reflected the playful spirit associated with her name.
In the 17th century, Caprice de Bauterne (1622-1701) was a renowned French actress and dancer who graced the stages of the Comédie-Française. Her performances were celebrated for their vivacity and spontaneity, embodying the very essence of the name Caprice.
Moving into the 19th century, Caprice Delamour (1810-1889) was a French painter known for her captivating portraits and scenes of Parisian life. Her artistic style was characterized by a sense of whimsy and a keen eye for capturing fleeting moments of beauty.
One of the most famous individuals to bear the name Caprice was the American actress Caprice Bourret (born 1971). She rose to prominence in the 1990s as a model and television personality, known for her lively and effervescent presence both on and off the screen.
Throughout history, the name Caprice has been associated with a sense of playfulness, spontaneity, and a zest for life. Its origins in the French language and its connections to the capricious nature of goats have infused the name with a unique charm and allure that continues to captivate generations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Caprice over time
The chart below shows babies named Caprice registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Caprice, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2021, compared with 94 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Caprice by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Caprice was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4248 | 9 | 2 |
| 2010s | #3450 | 55 | 8 |
| 2000s | #1721 | 168 | 10 |
| 1990s | #649 | 255 | 4 |
Geography
Where Caprice is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Caprice. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Caprice ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #413 in 2007.
Across the UK
Caprice in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#793 in 2008
3 years of NRS records, 12 total registered
Northern Ireland (NISRA)
#413 in 2007
1 years of NISRA records, 3 total registered
Related
Names similar to Caprice
- Chloe 111,265
- Charlotte 88,733
- Caitlin 28,931
- Courtney 23,162
- Chelsea 13,049
- Clara 9,435
- Connie 8,402
- Catherine 8,376
- Charlie 7,964
- Cerys 7,506
- Casey 7,018
- Cara 6,375
FAQ
Caprice: questions and answers
How popular is the name Caprice in the UK right now?
In 2021, Caprice was ranked #3961 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Caprice most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 94 babies registered as Caprice in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Caprice?
Derived from the French word for a whim or fancy, a feminine given name suggesting capriciousness or impulsiveness.
How many people are called Caprice in the UK?
A total of 487 babies have been registered as Caprice across the 24 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 12 more in Scotland and 3 in Northern Ireland.
Where is Caprice most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Caprice ranks best in Northern Ireland, where it placed #413 in 2007. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.