Carol is a unisex

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a fa ...

, although in contemporary Western usage it is more commonly used for females. It is a European continental spelling of the English

Charles Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English language, English and French language, French speaking countries. It is from the French form ''Charles'' of the Proto-Germanic, Proto-Germanic name (in runic alphabet) or ''*k ...

, the Germanic

Carl Carl may refer to: *Carl, Georgia, city in USA *Carl, West Virginia, an unincorporated community * Carl (name), includes info about the name, variations of the name, and a list of people with the name *Carl², a TV series * "Carl", an episode of te ...

, and the Latin Carolus, and can also be a short version of the name Caroline. Spelling variations include

Carole Carole is a feminine given name (see Carl for more information) and occasionally a surname. Carole may refer to: Given name * Carole B. Balin (born 1964), American Reform rabbi, professor of Jewish history *Carole Bayer Sager (born 1947), Ameri ...

. Those named Carol include:

People

Female

Carol Alt Carol Ann Alt (born December 1, 1960) is an American model and actress. Early life Alt was born in Flushing, Queens, New York, the daughter of Muriel, an airline employee and model, and Anthony Alt, a fire chief in the Bronx. She was noticed wai ...

(born 1960), American model and actress * Carol Remmer Angle (born 1927), American pediatrician, nephrologist, and toxicologist *

Carol Banawa Carol Claire Aguilar Banawa-Crisostomo (born March 4, 1981), better known in the Philippines as Carol Banawa, is a US-based Filipina singer, actress, and nurse. She is a Star Magic Batch 4 alumna. Early life and career Raised in Batangas, she ...

(born 1981), Filipino singer and actress * Carol Barnett (1956–2021), American businesswoman and philanthropist * Carol Joyce Blumberg, American statistician *

Carol Breen Carol Breen (born 21 January 1986) is an Irish Australian rules footballer and former association footballer, who has played for the Republic of Ireland women's national football team and the Ireland national Australian rules football team. At ...

(born 1986), Irish footballer and Aussie rules player *

Carol Burnett Carol Creighton Burnett (born April 26, 1933) is an American actress, comedian, singer, and writer. Her groundbreaking comedy variety show ''The Carol Burnett Show'', which originally aired on CBS was one of the first of its kind to be hosted ...

(born 1933), American comedian and actress *

Carol Channing Carol Elaine Channing (January 31, 1921 – January 15, 2019) was an American actress, singer, dancer and comedian who starred in Broadway and film musicals. Her characters usually had a fervent expressiveness and an easily identifiable voice, ...

(1921–2019), American singer, actress and comedian *

Carol Corrado Carol A. Corrado is an American economist who was the former chief of industrial output at the Federal Reserve Board and currently serves as a senior advisor and research director in economics on The Conference Board. She serves as a member of th ...

, American economist * Carol A. Gotway Crawford, American mathematical statistician * Carol Lynn Curchoe (born 1979), American reproductive biologist *

Carol Dartora Ana Carolina Moura Melo Dartora, known as Carol Dartora (born 1 May 1983), is a Brazilian politician, teacher, historian, trade unionist and member of the Workers' Party (PT). She is currently a congresswoman for the state of Paraná, Brazil, h ...

(born 1983), Brazilian politician, teacher and activist *

Carol Dempster Carol Dempster (December 9, 1901 – February 1, 1991) was an American film actress of the silent film era. She appeared in films from 1916 to 1926, working with D. W. Griffith extensively. Early years Born in Duluth, Minnesota, Dempster was ...

(1901–1991), American actress *

Carol W. Greider Carolyn Widney Greider (born April 15, 1961) is an American molecular biologist and Nobel laureate. She joined the University of California, Santa Cruz as a Distinguished Professor in the department of molecular, cell, and developmental biology ...

(born 1961), American molecular biologist *

Carol Hall Carol Hall (April 3, 1936 – October 11, 2018) was an American composer and lyricist. She was best known for composing the music and lyrics for the Broadway stage musical ''The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas'' (1978, adapted as a film in 1982). ...

, American politician from Connecticut *

(1936–2018), American composer and lyricist * Carol K. Hall, American chemical engineer *

Carol Harrison Carol Harrison (born 8 February 1955) is an English actress and writer. She is known mostly for her work on British television, in particular her role as Louise Raymond in BBC's '' EastEnders''. Career Harrison made her acting debut in 1976, in ...

(born 1955), British actress and writer *

Carol Higgins Clark Carol Higgins Clark (born July 28, 1956) is an American mystery author and actress. She is the daughter of suspense writer Mary Higgins Clark, with whom she co-authored several Christmas novels, and the former sister-in-law of author Mary Jane ...

(born 1956), American mystery writer, daughter of writer Mary Higgins Clark *

Carol Kane Carolyn Laurie Kane (born June 18, 1952) is an American actress. She became known in the 1970s and 1980s in films such as '' Hester Street'' (for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress), ''Dog Day Afternoon'', ''Annie ...

(born 1952), American actress *

Carol Kaye Carol Kaye (née Smith, born March 24, 1935) is an American musician. She is one of the most prolific recorded bass guitarists in rock and pop music, playing on an estimated 10,000 recordings in a career spanning over 50 years. Kaye began play ...

(born 1935), American bass guitarist and session musician *

Carol Lawrence Carol Lawrence (born Carolina Maria Laraia; September 5, 1932) is an American actress, appearing in musical theatre and on television. She is known for creating the role of Maria on Broadway in the musical ''West Side Story'' (1957), receiving ...

(born 1932), American actress *

Carol Lewis Carol LeGrant Lewis (born August 8, 1963) is an American former track and field athlete who specialized in the long jump. She is the 1983 World Championship bronze medalist, and a 4-time US Champion. Her best long jump of 7.04 meters in 1985 is ...

(born 1963), American track and field long jumper *

Carol Lynley Carol Lynley (born Carole Ann Jones; February 13, 1942 – September 3, 2019) was an American actress known for her roles in the films ''Blue Denim'' (1959) and '' The Poseidon Adventure'' (1972). Lynley was born in Manhattan to an Irish ...

(1942–2019), American actress *

Carol Mann Carol Mann (February 3, 1941 – May 20, 2018) was an American professional golfer. She became a member of the LPGA Tour in 1961 and won two major championships and 38 LPGA Tour events in all. She is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Am ...

(born 1941), American golfer *

Carol Mavor Carol Jane Mavor is an American writer and professor. Her work includes the books ''Pleasures Taken: Performances of Sexuality and Loss in Victorian Photographs'', ''Becoming: The Photographs of Clementina, Viscountess Hawarden'', and ''Blue Mytho ...

, American writer and professor *

Carol Moseley Braun Carol Elizabeth Moseley Braun, also sometimes Moseley-Braun (born August 16, 1947), is a former U.S. Senator, an American diplomat, politician, and lawyer who represented Illinois in the United States Senate from 1993 to 1999. Prior to her Senate ...

(born 1947), American politician and lawyer, first African-American woman elected to the US Senate * Carol Phiri, South African politician * Carol Rabadi, Jordanian pilot * Carol Rhodes (1959–2018), Scottish painter * Carol Rubin (1945–2001), American film producer *

Carol M. Swain Carol Miller Swain (born March 7, 1954) is a retired professor of political science and Law of the United States, law at Vanderbilt University. A frequent television analyst, she is the author and editor of several books. Her interests include ra ...

, American political scientist *

Carol Spradling Carol Spradling is an American professor, computer scientist who served as the first Director of the School of Computer Science and Information Systems at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri. She is known for her work with ...

(born 1950), American professor *

Carol Thatcher Carol Jane Thatcher (born 15 August 1953) is an English journalist, author and media personality. She is the daughter of Margaret Thatcher, the British prime minister from 1979 to 1990, and Denis Thatcher. She has written biographies of both he ...

(born 1953), British journalist, author and media personality, daughter of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher * Carol J. Thiele, American microbiologist and cancer researcher *

Carol Tomcala Carol Tomcala (born 22 November 1954) is an Australian sports shooter. She competed in two events at the 1996 Summer Olympics The 1996 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXVI Olympiad, also known as Atlanta 1996 and commonly ...

(born 1954), Australian sports shooter *

Carol Twombly Carol Twombly (born June 13, 1959) is an American designer, best known for her type design. She worked as a type designer at Adobe Systems from 1988 through 1999, during which time she designed, or contributed to the design of, many typefaces, in ...

(born 1959), American designer *

Carol Vorderman Carol Jean Vorderman, HonFIET (born 24 December 1960) is a Welsh media personality, best known for appearing on the game show ''Countdown'' for 26 years from 1982 until 2008, as a newspaper columnist and nominal author of educational and diet ...

(born 1960), British television presenter * Carol Wayne (1942–1985), American actress

Male

Carol I of Romania Carol I or Charles I of Romania (20 April 1839 – ), born Prince Karl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, was the monarch of Romania from 1866 to his death in 1914, ruling as Prince (''Domnitor'') from 1866 to 1881, and as King from 1881 to 1914. He w ...

(1839–1914), King of Romania *

Carol II of Romania Carol II (4 April 1953) was King of Romania from 8 June 1930 until his forced abdication on 6 September 1940. The eldest son of Ferdinand I, he became crown prince upon the death of his grand-uncle, King Carol I in 1914. He was the first of th ...

(1893–1953), King of Romania * Carol Ardeleanu (1883–1949), Romanian writer *

Carol Davila Carol Davila (; 1828 – 24 August 1884) was a prestigious Romanian physician of Italian ancestry. He is considered to be the father of Romanian medicine. Biography He started from humble beginnings, most probably as an abandoned child, and the ...

(1828–1884), Romanian physician * Carol Lambrino (1920–2006), eldest son of Carol II *

Carol Reed Sir Carol Reed (30 December 1906 – 25 April 1976) was an English film director and producer, best known for ''Odd Man Out'' (1947), '' The Fallen Idol'' (1948), ''The Third Man'' (1949), and '' Oliver!'' (1968), for which he was awarded the ...

(1906–1976), British film director *

Caroll Spinney Caroll Edwin Spinney (December 26, 1933 – December 8, 2019) was an American puppeteer, cartoonist, author, artist and speaker, most famous for playing Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on ''Sesame Street'' from its inception in 1969 until 2018. E ...

(1933–2019), American puppeteer, cartoonist, author, artist and speaker *

Carol Szathmari Carol Szathmari (Romanian: ''Carol Popp de Szathmáry ''; 11 January 1812 Kolozsvár – 3 July 1887 Bucharest) was a Hungarian painter, lithographer, and photographer, who had worked most of the time in Wallachia, nowadays Romania and there ...

(1812–1887), Austro-Hungarian-born Romanian painter and photographer *

Carol Vadnais Carol Marcel Vadnais (September 25, 1945 – August 31, 2014) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1966–67 until 1982–83. Vadnais won the Stanley Cup twice during his ...

(1945–2014), Canadian National Hockey League player *

Carol-Eduard Novak Carol-Eduard Novak ( hu, Novák Károly Eduárd, ; born 28 July 1976) is a Romanian road and track racing cyclist, who currently rides for UCI Continental team . Initially a speed skater, Novak lost one of his feet in a car accident in 1996. S ...

, paralympic cyclist

Fictional characters

* Carol Aird (née Ross), a main character in

Patricia Highsmith Patricia Highsmith (January 19, 1921 – February 4, 1995) was an American novelist and short story writer widely known for her psychological thrillers, including her series of five novels featuring the character Tom Ripley. She wrote 22 novel ...

’s novel ''

The Price of Salt ''The Price of Salt'' (later republished under the title ''Carol'') is a 1952 romance novel by Patricia Highsmith, first published under the pseudonym "Claire Morgan." Highsmith—known as a suspense writer based on her psychological thriller ...

'' and its film adaptation '' Carol.'' * Carol Beer, in the British comedy sketch series ''

Little Britain Little Britain may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Little Britain'' (sketch show), a British radio and then TV show ** ''Little Britain USA'', an American spin-off * "Little Britain", a song by Dreadzone from the 1995 album '' Second Light'' ...

'' * Carol Brady, the mother in the television series ''

The Brady Bunch ''The Brady Bunch'' is an American sitcom created by Sherwood Schwartz that aired from September 26, 1969, to March 8, 1974, on ABC. The series revolves around a large blended family with six children. The show aired for five seasons and, after ...

'', played by Florence Henderson *

, an airline pilot in seasons four and five of the television series ''

30 Rock ''30 Rock'' is an American satirical sitcom television series created by Tina Fey that originally aired on NBC from October 11, 2006, to January 31, 2013. The series, based on Fey's experiences as head writer for ''Saturday Night Live'', takes ...

'', played by

Matt Damon Matthew Paige Damon (; born October 8, 1970) is an American actor, film producer, and screenwriter. Ranked among ''Forbes'' most bankable stars, the films in which he has appeared have collectively earned over $3.88 billion at the North Americ ...

Carol Danvers Carol Susan Jane Danvers is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Gene Colan, Danvers first appeared as an officer in the United States Air Force and a colleague of the ...

, a Marvel Comics superhero, formerly known as Ms. Marvel, currently known as Captain Marvel * Carol Anne Freeling, main character in all three ''

Poltergeist In ghostlore, a poltergeist ( or ; German for "rumbling ghost" or "noisy spirit") is a type of ghost or spirit that is responsible for physical disturbances, such as loud noises and objects being moved or destroyed. Most claims or fictional descr ...

'' film series *

Carol Hathaway Carol Hathaway is a fictional character from the NBC medical drama series '' ER,'' portrayed by actress Julianna Margulies. She is the nurse manager in the ER. She regularly appeared throughout the series from the pilot episode to her penultimat ...

, in the television series ''ER'' *

Carol Jackson Carol Jackson is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera '' EastEnders'', played by Lindsey Coulson. The character was introduced in 1993 as the mother of the Jackson family. Coulson decided to quit the role in 1997, but she returned te ...

, in the British soap opera ''

EastEnders ''EastEnders'' is a Television in the United Kingdom, British soap opera created by Julia Smith (producer), Julia Smith and Tony Holland which has been broadcast on BBC One since February 1985. Set in the fictional borough of Walford in the Ea ...

'' * Carol Kester, receptionist in ''

The Bob Newhart Show ''The Bob Newhart Show'' is an American sitcom television series produced by MTM Enterprises that aired on CBS from September 16, 1972, to April 1, 1978, with a total of 142 half-hour episodes over six seasons. Comedian Bob Newhart portrays a psy ...

'' *

Carol Peletier Carol, later revealed as Carol Peletier in the television series, () is a fictional character from the comic book series '' The Walking Dead'', and the television series of the same name, where she is portrayed by Melissa McBride. Carol is intro ...

, in the comic book and television series '' The Walking Dead'' * Carol Post, in the television series ''

Mister Ed ''Mister Ed'' is an American television sitcom produced by Filmways that aired in syndication from January 5 to July 2, 1961, and then on CBS from October 1, 1961, to February 6, 1966. The show's title character is a talking horse which orig ...

'' * Carol Tea, in the video game ''

Freedom Planet ''Freedom Planet'' is a 2D platform video game developed and published by American video game designer Sabrina DiDuro, for her studio GalaxyTrail. The player controls one of three anthropomorphic animal protagonists: the dragon girl Lilac, the ...

'' * Carol (Dilbert), the Pointy-Haired Boss's secretary in the ''Dilbert'' comic strip * Carol, in the film ''

Where the Wild Things Are ''Where the Wild Things Are'' is a 1963 children's picture book written and illustrated by American writer and illustrator Maurice Sendak, originally published in hardcover by Harper & Row. The book has been adapted into other media several tim ...

People

Female

Male

Fictional characters

See also