Caruso is an Italian surname of Norman origin, derived from the Latin word 'carrus', meaning 'chariot'. It was originally a nickname given to someone who drove a chariot or worked as a coachman. The name first appeared in Italy during the early medieval period and has since been widely adopted throughout the country. Today, Caruso remains a popular surname in Italy and among Italian communities around the world. In English-speaking countries, it is often anglicized to 'Carson'. Notable figures with the surname include the renowned tenor Luciano Pavarotti, who was born Luigi Pavarotti but took his stage name from his father's friend, an opera singer named Caruso.
The name Caruso has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with an equal number of babies being named Caruso in both 1923 and 2019.