Carole is a feminine given name of French origin, derived from the Middle French 'Charoleis', which was itself derived from the Germanic 'Karl', meaning "strong" or "freeholder". The name gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the 20th century, likely due to its use by notable figures such as American jazz singer Carole King and British actress Carole Bouquet. Variations of the name include Carla, Karole, and Charlene. Carole is often associated with warmth, approachability, and a friendly demeanor.
The name Carole experienced a steady increase in popularity from the late 1930s to the mid-1940s, peaking in 1942 with 33 births. However, it fell sharply afterwards, with only 7 births recorded in both 1947 and 1961. Overall, there were a total of 264 babies named Carole between 1932 and 1961.