Karl
Karl is a boys' name of German origin meaning “free man.” One of the most historically significant German names, Karl honors Charlemagne (Karl der Große), the father of Europe.
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how do you pronounce Karl?
KARL
where does the name Karl come from?
From a Germanic root meaning free man, first a nickname before it became a given name; it is related to the French and English Charles.
The name has been borne by countless kings, emperors, philosophers, and revolutionaries. It is direct, powerful, and carries immense cultural weight.
how popular is this name?
Karl has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 129 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 1. It peaked at #135 in 1960, and ranked #966 in 2009.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2009 | #966 |
| 2007 | #859 |
| 2006 | #769 |
| 2005 | #752 |
| 2004 | #695 |
| 2003 | #658 |
| 2002 | #608 |
| 2001 | #580 |
| 2000 | #564 |
| 1990 | #295 |
| 1980 | #225 |
| 1970 | #177 |
| 1960 | #135 |
| 1950 | #172 |
| 1940 | #174 |
| 1930 | #206 |
| 1920 | #245 |
| 1910 | #252 |
| 1900 | #230 |
| 1890 | #246 |
| 1880 | #373 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Karl fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Karl
Its fame owes much to Charlemagne, Karl der Große in German, and it has been used in Scandinavia since the Middle Ages and across German-speaking Europe as a name of rulers.
what are the nicknames and variants of Karl?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
who are famous people named Karl?
- Karl Marx (philosopher and economist)
- Karl Lagerfeld (fashion designer)
what names are similar to Karl?
what names go well with Karl?
Sibling names that share Karl's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Karl
What does the name Karl mean?
Karl means “free man”.
What is the origin of the name Karl?
Karl comes from the German naming tradition. Related forms include Carl, Karel, Carlos and Charles.
How popular is the name Karl?
Karl ranked #966 in the US in 2009, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1960, at #135, and it has spent 129 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Karl a boy or girl name?
Karl is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Karl?
Karl is pronounced KARL, with 1 syllable.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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