Caprice as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Caprice

What is the meaning of the name Caprice ?

The baby name Caprice is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced kuh-PREES (IPA: /kəˈpriːs/).

Caprice is French in Origin.

Caprice derives from French caprice “whim, fancy,” itself from Italian capriccio. The deeper root is debated: some trace it to capo “head” + riccio “hedgehog,” evoking hair bristling in a sudden shiver; others link it to capra “goat,” suggesting capering unpredictability. In music and art, a caprice/capriccio denotes a free, highly inventive piece - associations that color the name’s meaning with spontaneity, playfulness, and creative impulse.

As a given name, Caprice is used chiefly in the English-speaking world from the mid-20th century onward, projecting chic, fashion-forward flair and lighthearted sophistication; it appears more sparingly in France. Notable bearer: American model and entrepreneur Caprice Bourret. Variants and related forms include Capricia (an elaboration), Kaprice (modern respelling), and the nicknames Capri and Cappy; French retains the same spelling. The name’s core sense remains “whim” or “fanciful change,” often read positively as lively, artistic freedom.