Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Caprice
GirlFrench, Italian· “whim, impulse”
- Meaning
- whim, impulse
- Origin
- French, Italian
- Pronunciation
- kuh-PREES
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #7,565
- US babies 2025
- 14
- Best rank
- #944 (1966)
- Peak year
- 1966
Meaning and origin of Caprice
Caprice is a French and Italian name that is usually said to mean “whim, impulse”.
Caprice is a French word meaning "whim," "impulse" or "sudden change of mind," from the Italian capriccio. The Italian word is sometimes traced to capo, "head," and riccio, "hedgehog," describing hair standing on end, though other roots have been proposed. In music, a caprice or capriccio is a lively, free-form piece, and Paganini's twenty-four Caprices for solo violin are the best-known examples. As a given name, Caprice has a playful, sophisticated sound. It is said kuh-PREES. Americans may also know it from the Chevrolet Caprice, a long-running car model.
Popularity over time
Caprice first appears in US Social Security records in 1949. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 1 different years, starting in 1966. Its best national rank was #944 in 1966, the same year it reached its highest count of 116 babies. In 2025, 14 babies were named Caprice, and it ranked #7,565 nationally. That is 61% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,262 in 1950, #2,754 in 1980, #2,678 in 2000, #5,270 in 2010, and #7,565 in 2025. Of the 3,383 US girls named Caprice since records began, 20% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 621 babies. Since 2010, 282 more have been named Caprice.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Bethann, Denita, Inger, Dawne, and Adriene.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 92% of US babies named Caprice over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Caprice is usually pronounced kuh-PREES, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with C and ends in “-ce”.
Middle names for Caprice
A few middle names that flow with Caprice: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Caprice
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Lists that include Caprice
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Caprice mean?
Caprice is a French and Italian name that is usually said to mean “whim, impulse”.
What is the origin of the name Caprice?
Caprice has French and Italian roots. Caprice is a French word meaning "whim," "impulse" or "sudden change of mind," from the Italian capriccio.
Is Caprice a popular name?
Not especially. Caprice ranked #7,565 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Caprice a boy or girl name?
Caprice is mainly a girl's name. About 92% of US babies named Caprice over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Caprice?
Caprice is usually pronounced kuh-PREES. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings