Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Caron
BoyFrench· “French surname, meaning uncertain”
- Meaning
- French surname, meaning uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- French
- Pronunciation
- KAIR-un
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #12,361
- US babies 2025
- 5
- Best rank
- #1,924 (2005)
- Peak year
- 2008
Meaning and origin of Caron
Caron is often said to mean “French surname, meaning uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to French roots.
Caron is a French surname whose meaning is uncertain. It may come from a personal name or from an Old French word connected with carts and cart makers, but no single explanation is accepted. The surname is best known through the French actress and dancer Leslie Caron, star of Gigi and An American in Paris. As an American first name it is usually said KAIR-un, so it sounds like Karen and Aaron, and it can also be read as a variant of Karen or of the Scottish Carron, which adds to the confusion about its source. French speakers say kah-ROHN, with a nasal final vowel.
Popularity over time
Caron first appears in US Social Security records in 1935. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,924 in 2005, and the most babies received it in 2008, when 71 were named Caron. In 2025, 5 babies were named Caron, and it ranked #12,361 nationally. That is 54% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #4,185 in 1980, #5,625 in 2000, #2,688 in 2010, and #12,361 in 2025. Of the 1,033 US boys named Caron since records began, 46% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 248 babies. Since 2010, 312 more have been named Caron.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Jamauri, Exavier, Adarius, Shamus, and Breyden.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Caron is usually pronounced KAIR-un, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with C and ends in “-on”.
Middle names for Caron
A few middle names that flow with Caron: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Caron
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Lists that include Caron
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Caron mean?
Caron is often said to mean “French surname, meaning uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to French roots.
What is the origin of the name Caron?
Caron has French roots. Caron is a French surname whose meaning is uncertain.
Is Caron a popular name?
Not especially. Caron ranked #12,361 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Caron a boy or girl name?
Caron is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Caron?
Caron is usually pronounced KAIR-un. 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