Carl
Carl is a German and Scandinavian form of Charles, derived from the Old High German name Karl, meaning 'free man' or 'man.' It has strong roots in European nobility and has been a steadfast choice across generations.
Current Popularity
#1134 for boys
in the United States (2025)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •Extremely easy to spell and pronounce across languages
- •Short and strong one-syllable name that ages well
- •Has international variants like Karl, Carlo, and Carlos
- •Less common than Charles but carries the same noble heritage
- •Multiple spelling variations exist
Similar Names
Famous People
Carl Sagan
Astronomer and science communicator
Carl Jung
Psychiatrist and psychoanalyst
Carl Lewis
Olympic track and field athlete
Carl Reiner
Actor, comedian, and filmmaker
Statistics
504,827
Total births since 1880
1956
Peak year
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