UK girl's name
Carola
A feminine name derived from the Latin word "Carolus", meaning "free man".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1996. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Carola is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Carola popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1996 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3795, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 1996 to 1996. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, 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.
Carola is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Carola. 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 1997 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Carola ranked #3795 for girls in England and Wales in 1996, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 3 girls were registered as Carola.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Carola as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3795
1996
Births in 1996
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Carola mean?
The name Carola has its origins in the Germanic languages, derived from the Old High German name "Karla" or "Karola." It is a feminine form of the male name "Karl," which means "free man" or "man of the people." The name gained popularity in the medieval period across various regions of Europe.
Historically, the name Carola has been associated with several notable figures. One of the earliest recorded examples is Carola of Guelders, a 14th-century Dutch noblewoman who served as the regent of the County of Guelders from 1371 to 1377.
In the realm of religion, Saint Carola Cozio lived in Italy during the 17th century and is celebrated as a nun in the Roman Catholic Church. She founded a religious order dedicated to the education of young women.
In the world of literature, Carola Neher (1900-1942) was a German actress and playwright who gained recognition for her collaborations with Bertolt Brecht. Her works explored themes of social injustice and political oppression.
Carola Duran (1920-2010) was a Spanish-born Mexican actress who had a prolific career in both film and television, appearing in over 100 productions throughout her lifetime. She was celebrated for her versatility and commitment to her craft.
Carola Anding (1936-2003) was a Swedish singer and actress who rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s. She was known for her powerful voice and captivating stage presence, and she represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1966.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Carola throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the enduring legacy of this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Carola by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Carola 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | #3795 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Carola
- 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
Carola: questions and answers
How popular is the name Carola in the UK right now?
In 1996, Carola was ranked #3795 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Carola most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 3 babies registered as Carola in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Carola?
A feminine name derived from the Latin word "Carolus", meaning "free man".
How many people are called Carola in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Carola across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
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.