Rising since 1985, #1,261 for girls today.
Popularity of Karolina since 1917
Babies named Karolina per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2007, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Karolina's real moment was 2024.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 10 |
| 1920s | 5 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 10 |
| 1970s | 38 |
| 1980s | 176 |
| 1990s | 798 |
| 2000s | 1,489 |
| 2010s | 1,242 |
| 2020s | 908 |
Meaning & origin
Karolina is a feminine form of Karol, itself derived from the Germanic root for 'free man'. While recorded in the U.S. since 1917, the name has seen a steady resurgence since 1985, peaking in popularity in 2024. In 2025, Karolina ranks 1261 nationally, given to approximately 1 in 9081 newborn girls. Oregon (OR), Texas (TX), and Florida (FL) are the top states for the name, reflecting broader interest in European-inflected names. Its rise over recent decades positions it as a quietly elegant alternative to more common Carolina or Caroline.
Karolina is a feminine form of Karol, the Polish and Scandinavian version of Charles, which derives from the Germanic element *karlaz* meaning 'free man'. It is considered a regional variant of Caroline or Carolina. The name has been used in Poland since the 17th century and gained popularity across Scandinavia and Germany, often associated with nobility and royalty.
Where Karolina is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Karolina” around the world
Where Karolina lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Karo, Lina, Karla
Sibling names for Karolina
Names that share Karolina's style, for a brother or sister.
