The nameCarl

Carl is the German and Scandinavian form of Charles, meaning "free man".

Boy's name
Germanic
Feast day

Meaning

Carl comes from the Germanic karl, "man, free man".

Origin

Germanic.

History

German and Swedish immigrants brought Carl to America, where it reached 22nd place in 1894.

Did you know?

The American athlete Carl Lewis won nine Olympic gold medals, including the long jump four times in a row.

Famous people named Carl

Carl Linnaeus, botanist
Carl Sagan, astronomer
Carl Lewis, athlete
Carl Jung, psychiatrist

Popularity of the name Carl

Carl in the United States

1033rdmost popular boys' name in the United States in 2024

1956peak year (8,346 births)

507,825babies named Carl in the United States since 1880

Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Carl was most popular in the United States in the 1950s, with 79,066 births over the decade, 16% of all recorded babies named Carl. Its rise began around 1894, and it peaked in 1956. Half of all babies named Carl in the United States were born before 1946, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 240 births a year on average, against 396 in the five years before.

Carl in the United Kingdom

1945thmost popular boys' name in the United Kingdom in 2025

1997peak year (314 births)

2,830babies named Carl in the United Kingdom since 1997

Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Carl was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 1,396 births over the decade, 49% of all recorded babies named Carl. Half of all babies named Carl in the United Kingdom were born before 2003. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 14 births a year on average, against 30 in the five years before.

Carl in Ireland

1993peak year (54 births)

1,555babies named Carl in Ireland since 1964

Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Carl in France

747thmost popular boys' name in France, latest official figures

1974peak year (140 births)

5,620babies named Carl in France since 1900

Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Carl in Norway

198thmost popular boys' name in Norway in 2025

1990peak year (92 births)

4,078babies named Carl in Norway since 1945

Births per year in Norway. Source: Statistics Norway (SSB), table 10467.

Sibling names for Carl

Names from the same generation as Carl, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Carl? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Carl in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Carl mean?

Carl comes from the Germanic karl, "man, free man".

What is the origin of the name Carl?

Germanic.

Is Carl a girl's or a boy's name?

Carl is a boy's name.

How popular is the name Carl?

In 2024, Carl was the 1033rd most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 215 births.

What are good sibling names for Carl?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Alisha, Linda, Yvette and Sharon for a sister, Gerald, Karl, Ernesto and Gilbert for a brother.

Who are famous people named Carl?

Carl Linnaeus, botanist; Carl Sagan, astronomer; Carl Lewis, athlete; Carl Jung, psychiatrist.