Carol is a feminine of Charles (from the Old Germanic karl, "free man") — also from the Middle English carole (joyful song, dance). **A top-10 US baby name from 1939 to 1953, peaking at #4 in 1942**. **Carol Burnett (born 1933)** — the **American comedian whose *The Carol Burnett Show* (1967-1978) won 25 Emmy Awards** and pioneered the female-led variety show. **Carol Channing (1921-2019)** — Tony-winning Broadway actress and originator of *Hello, Dolly!*. **Patricia Highsmith's *Carol* (originally *The Price of Salt*, 1952) — among the first widely published lesbian novels with a happy ending.**
Subject of Todd Haynes's *Carol* (2015 film).
Carol reduces to nine — the number of joyful song.