How Many People Are Named Caroline?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Caroline

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 5,209 living people in the United States currently have the first name Caroline. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 5,658 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #486 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~5,209CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)5,658Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#486U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year2001 (161 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~5,209
Historical Births (SSA)
5,658
All-Time Rank
#486
Historical Peak
2001

Key Insights for Caroline

Estimated Living Bearers
~5,209 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#486
Common First Name (Top 500)
Historical Peak Year
2001
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Female
10.4% Male · 89.6% Female
Largest Estimated Population
California
~651 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Caroline

Living Population Model
~5,209

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
5,658

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
3,125

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
20.5 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
2001

Highest annual total: 161 registrations in 2001.

Recent 10-Year Trend
stable (-9%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Caroline has maintained a consistent, stable registration level across recent 2015–2024 birth cohorts.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Caroline (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 2001 (~161 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201015519136
201115418136
201215218134
201315018132
201414818130
201514618128
201614317126
201714117124
201813817121
201913616120
202013316117
202113016114
202212815113
202312515110
202412315108

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
3/100
1950s
4/100
1960s
7/100
1970s
15/100
1980s
31/100
1990s
45/100
2000s
98/100
2010s
90/100
2020s
39/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historically in the U.S., Caroline has been predominantly feminine (89.6% female vs 10.4% male).

Male: 10.4% (~589 births)Female: 89.6% (~5,069 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Caroline

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Caroline in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Caroline appeared 3,125 times, ranking #67 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
3,125 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#67
Census Sex Breakdown
8% M · 92% F

Where Is the Name Caroline Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~651 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~65112.5%
Texas (TX)~4799.2%
Florida (FL)~3546.8%
New York (NY)~3186.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~2084%
Illinois (IL)~2033.9%
Ohio (OH)~1883.6%
Georgia (GA)~1723.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 5,209 people named Caroline are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 20.5 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Caroline: 20.5 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

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Frequently Asked Questions About Caroline

How many people in the U.S. are named Caroline?

Approximately 5,209 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Caroline. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 5,658 birth applications for Caroline between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Caroline?

Caroline ranks #486 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This places Caroline comfortably within the top 500 most widely recognized American names.

When was the name Caroline most popular in America?

The name Caroline reached its peak historical popularity in 2001, when 161 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Caroline?

Caroline has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Caroline?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historically in the U.S., Caroline has been predominantly feminine (89.6% female vs 10.4% male).

Where is the name Caroline most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Caroline resides in California, with approximately 651 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Caroline in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Caroline appeared 3,125 times in census returns, ranking #67 in official 2020 returns.

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