The Caro-Kann is named after Horatio Caro and Marcus Kann, nineteenth-century players associated with analysis of the opening in the 1880s. The moves existed before that analysis, so their names should not be treated as proof of a single act of invention. Later adoption by strong players helped establish the defence as a serious answer to 1.e4.
Black begins with ...c6 to support ...d5. This resembles the French idea of challenging White's centre, but the supporting pawn comes from a different file. The distinction affects the light-squared bishop: with the e-pawn still on e7, it may develop outside the future pawn chain. Black pays for that flexibility by spending a move on a pawn that also occupies the c6 square.
White can advance, exchange or defend the e4 pawn. Each response changes Black's development task. In many Classical lines, Black exchanges on e4 and develops the bishop to f5. In the Advance, White gains space with e5 and Black needs a plan to challenge the centre without losing time or exposing pieces to attack.
Practise the Classical Variation while tracking the c8 bishop. Then compare the Advance to see why one remembered setup is not enough. The useful historical legacy is an opening built around a specific development problem: how to contest the centre while keeping the light-squared bishop active. Understanding that problem makes the first two Black moves easier to reconstruct.
Try this at the board
Compare ...c6 with ...e6 as preparation for ...d5. Name one benefit and one cost of the Caro-Kann move.