Anglicized form of Carolus (see Charles), or of its feminine derivative Carola. It has never been common as a boy's name, and has become even less so since its growth in popularity as a girl's name. This seems to be of relatively recent origin (not being found much before the end of the 19th century). It probably originated as a short form of Caroline.
English (Yorkshire): habitational name from any of various places called Copley, for example in County Durham, Staffordshire, and Yorkshire, from the Old English personal name Coppa (apparently a byname for a tall man) or from copp ‘hilltop’ + lēah ‘woodland clearing’.