Karla

StrongInternationalConfidentModernBold

Karla is the German and Scandinavian feminine form of Karl, derived from the Old German word meaning 'free man' or 'strong.' It carries connotations of strength and independence with a sleek, continental European flair.

Current Popularity

#803 for girls

in the United States (2025)

Projected 2026: #845, likely #768 to #922

↗Declining

Popularity over time

191019502020
Recent years · births per year

Dashed bar: 2026 (projected): 322. How this is calculated

Yearly values
  • 2011: 910
  • 2012: 761
  • 2013: 647
  • 2014: 621
  • 2015: 617
  • 2016: 554
  • 2017: 553
  • 2018: 476
  • 2019: 427
  • 2020: 420
  • 2021: 411
  • 2022: 425
  • 2023: 398
  • 2024: 385
  • 2025: 340
  • 2026 (projected): 322

Good to Know

Common nicknames: Karly, Kay, K, Kar
  • •Easy to spell and pronounce across multiple languages
  • •Popular in German-speaking countries and Scandinavia
  • •Has a crisp, no-nonsense quality that ages well
  • •The 'K' spelling distinguishes it from the more common 'Carla' with a 'C'

Famous People

K

Karla Souza

Mexican actress

K

Karla Homolka

Canadian criminal (infamous)

K

Karla Crome

British actress

K

Karla Bonoff

American singer-songwriter

Statistics

91,586

Total births since 1880

1964

Peak year

Discovery

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