Carolina

Carolina is a historical region in the southeastern United States and a common given name. The name derives from Carolus, the Latin form of Charles, and was used to honor Charles II of England when the Province of Carolina was chartered in 1663 by the crown for eight Lords Proprietors. The colony occupied a broad stretch of the Atlantic coast and later gave rise to two distinct colonial jurisdictions.

The Province of Carolina, as a single entity, was eventually subdivided into North Carolina and South Carolina in the early 18th century. Both colonies continued to develop separately and later became U.S. states after independence. The region encompasses a variety of geographies, from coastal plains and barrier islands to the Piedmont and the Appalachian Mountains, supporting diverse economic activities such as agriculture, manufacturing, and technology.

In modern usage, Carolina functions as a given name—predominantly feminine and common in Spanish-speaking countries—as well as a geographic shorthand for the two U.S. states and for entities associated with them. Places named Carolina include a municipality in Puerto Rico. The name appears in popular culture and sports, with references to teams and programs tied to North and South Carolina, such as professional franchises and university athletic programs. The term also features in music, literature, and media as a title or character name.