name
Common
Carolina
ka-ruh-LEYE-nuh
Carolina (name) means a feminine given name of Latin origin, a form of Caroline; also short for North Carolina or South Carolina in the United States. Example: “They drove down through Carolina on the way to Florida.”
name
1
A feminine given name of Latin origin, a form of Caroline; also short for North Carolina or South Carolina in the United States.
"They drove down through Carolina on the way to Florida."
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Word forms
- Plural
- Carolinas
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They drove down through _____ on the way to Florida.
Etymology
From Latin Carolus ("Charles") plus the feminine diminutive suffix -ina; the US states are named for Charles I of England.
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Rhymes for Carolina
See all rhymes for Carolina →Frequently asked questions
What does “Carolina” mean?
The word “Carolina” means a feminine given name of Latin origin, a form of Caroline; also short for North Carolina or South Carolina in the United States.
How do you pronounce “Carolina”?
“Carolina” is pronounced ka-ruh-LEYE-nuh (/ˌkæɹəˈlaɪnə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Carolina” in a sentence?
Here is “Carolina” used in a sentence: “They drove down through Carolina on the way to Florida.”
What part of speech is “Carolina”?
“Carolina” is a name.
Where does the word “Carolina” come from?
The word “Carolina” comes from Latin. From Latin Carolus ("Charles") plus the feminine diminutive suffix -ina; the US states are named for Charles I of England.
Is “Carolina” a common word?
“Carolina” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What does the name Carolina mean?
Carolina is a feminine form of Caroline, itself derived from Charles. The root traces through Latin to a Germanic word meaning "free man" or "strong," so the name is often read as suggesting strength. It remains popular across Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese-speaking countries as well as in English.
Is Carolina a place or a name?
It can be both. As a given name, Carolina is a feminine form of Caroline used in many languages. As a place name, it is shorthand for the American states of North Carolina and South Carolina, which were named after King Charles. Context usually makes the intended meaning clear.
What are common nicknames for Carolina?
Carolina is often shortened to Caro, Lina, Carol, or Carrie. In Spanish and Italian-speaking families, Caro and Lina are especially common. These affectionate short forms keep the name's warmth while making everyday use quicker, and some, like Carol, have long stood as names in their own right.
How do you pronounce Carolina?
In English it is usually said "kair-uh-LY-nuh," as in the two US states. As a given name in Spanish, Italian, or Portuguese, it is more often "kah-roh-LEE-nah." Both are correct; the pronunciation simply depends on the language and cultural background of the person or place being named.
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