Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Carolin
GirlGerman, Germanic· “German form of Caroline”
- Meaning
- German form of Caroline
- Origin
- German, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- KAH-roh-lihn
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- Unranked
- US babies 2025
- 0
- Best rank
- #1,280 (1942)
- Peak year
- 1942
Meaning and origin of Carolin
Carolin is a German and Germanic name that means “German form of Caroline”.
Carolin is a German form of Caroline, the feminine of Carolus, the Latin form of Charles. Charles comes from a Germanic word meaning free man. Carolin has been widely used in Germany since the mid-twentieth century. In German it is said KAH-roh-leen, while English speakers may say KA-ruh-lihn. Caro, Carly and Lina are easy nicknames. Caroline and Karolina are related forms. The name has a crisp, modern European style. Unlike Caroline, the German spelling has no final e, which keeps it short on the page.
Popularity over time
Carolin first appears in US Social Security records in 1912. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,280 in 1942, the same year it reached its highest count of 39 babies. It did not appear in the 2025 data, which only lists names given to at least five babies.
Its national rank moved from #5,095 in 1920, #1,795 in 1950, #7,516 in 1980, #5,988 in 2000, and #11,445 in 2010. Of the 1,255 US girls named Carolin since records began, 23% were born in the 1940s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 197 babies. Since 2010, 56 more have been named Carolin.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Joeann, Voncile, Deetta, Sallye, and Maryetta.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Carolin is usually pronounced KAH-roh-lihn, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with C and ends in “-in”.
Middle names for Carolin
A few middle names that flow with Carolin: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Carolin
Similar names
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Lists that include Carolin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Carolin mean?
Carolin is a German and Germanic name that means “German form of Caroline”.
What is the origin of the name Carolin?
Carolin has German and Germanic roots. Carolin is a German form of Caroline, the feminine of Carolus, the Latin form of Charles.
Is Carolin a popular name?
No. Carolin was not recorded for five or more babies of its most common sex in 2025, so it is rare today.
Is Carolin a boy or girl name?
Carolin is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Carolin?
Carolin is usually pronounced KAH-roh-lihn. 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