Unisex name · peaked 2005

Karol

Every Karol since 1911 — 11,131 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.050.10.150.218801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#3,426
among girls
Babies in 2025
45
named Karol
Peak year
2005
448 babies
All-time total
11,131
since 1911

The story of Karol

Karol is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #3,426 in 2025 with 45 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1911, 11,131 American babies have been named Karol — about 87% girls and 13% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2005, when 448 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Karol stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Karol year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 45 #3,426
2024 41 #3,723
2023 61 #2,800 6 #11,535
2022 59 #2,878
2021 52 #3,138 10 #7,865
2020 55 #2,946 11 #7,259
2019 72 #2,469 5 #13,142
2018 44 #3,535 8 #9,230
2017 36 #4,108 14 #6,190
2016 43 #3,620 19 #5,045
2015 66 #2,700 18 #5,175
2014 77 #2,381 27 #3,846
2013 66 #2,674 24 #4,127
2012 132 #1,635 31 #3,489
2011 100 #1,979 37 #3,083
2010 78 #2,416 30 #3,587
2009 97 #2,096 39 #3,020
2008 87 #2,258 50 #2,529
2007 149 #1,543 63 #2,150
2006 137 #1,578 72 #1,885
2005 316 #818 132 #1,206
2004 59 #2,765 18 #4,692
2003 34 #3,986 7 #9,164
2002 43 #3,266 15 #5,029
2001 39 #3,448 14 #5,279
2000 48 #2,962 12 #5,745
1995 32 #3,453 12 #4,961
1990 41 #2,824 15 #3,874
1985 15 #4,955 8 #4,931
1980 35 #2,671 5 #6,761
1975 34 #2,380
1970 99 #1,174
1965 181 #741
1960 224 #679
1955 214 #634 9 #2,872
1950 200 #597 7 #3,183
1945 211 #504 12 #2,064
1940 137 #593 13 #2,038
1935 49 #988 16 #1,795
1930 16 #2,155 18 #1,783
1925 7 #4,221 13 #2,371
1920 13 #2,394
1915 16 #1,837
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Karol

  1. Karol Szymanowski Composer · 1882–1937
  2. Karol Świerczewski Military personnel · 1897–1947
  3. Karol Dobiaš Soccer player · b. 1947
  4. Karol Mikuli Musician · 1821–1897
  5. Karol Borsuk Mathematician · 1905–1982

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Karol in 2025?

Karol ranked #3,426 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 45 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Karol?

11,131 babies have been named Karol in the United States since 1911, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Karol most popular?

Karol peaked in 2005, when 448 newborns received the name.

Is Karol a boy or girl name?

Karol is used for both: about 87% of babies named Karol have been girls and 13% boys.

Is the name Karol rising or falling?

Karol is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Karol?

Well-known people named Karol include Karol Szymanowski (composer), Karol Świerczewski (military personnel), Karol Dobiaš (soccer player).

Names like Karol

Compare Karol with similar names →