Caroline
KAIR-uh-line
A classic feminine form of Charles, ultimately tied to the old Germanic word for “man” or “free man.”
Meaning
Caroline is the feminine form of Charles, via Latinized Carolus. The old etymological root behind Charles is commonly traced to a Germanic word for “man” or “free man,” which is why older name books gloss Caroline as related to “man” or even “man-woman.”
Origin
LatinOld GermanicFrenchEnglishfeminine
Fun fact
19th-century name books note that Caroline was once a favorite English form, though Charlotte later overtook it in popularity.