The nameCarlos
Carlos is a boy's name of Germanic origin meaning "free man". The Spanish and Portuguese form of Charles, it is a classic of the Hispanic world.
- Boy's name
- Germanic
- Feast day
Meaning
Carlos comes from Carolus, the Latin form of Charles, from the Germanic karl, "free man".
Origin
Germanic, through Latin and Spanish. Several kings of Spain and Portugal bore it.
History
Carlos is common throughout Spain, Portugal and Latin America. In the United States it was in the top 60 in the 1990s and 2000s.
Did you know?
- In 2022 Carlos Alcaraz became, at 19, the youngest world number one in men's tennis.
Famous people named Carlos
- Carlos Santana, guitarist
- Carlos Alcaraz, tennis player
- Carlos Fuentes, writer
- Carlos Sainz, racing driver
Popularity of the name Carlos
Carlos in the United States
Carlos was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 63,326 births over the decade, 21% of all recorded babies named Carlos. Its rise began around 1943, and it peaked in 2001. Half of all babies named Carlos in the United States were born before 1992. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 2,551 births a year on average, against 3,084 in the five years before.
Carlos in the United Kingdom
Carlos was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 547 births over the decade, 41% of all recorded babies named Carlos. Half of all babies named Carlos in the United Kingdom were born before 2009, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 28 births a year on average, against 43 in the five years before.
Carlos in France
Carlos in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Carlos
Names from the same generation as Carlos, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Carlos? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Carlos with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Carlos side by side with the name of your choice.
Carlos in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Carlos mean?
Carlos comes from Carolus, the Latin form of Charles, from the Germanic karl, "free man".
What is the origin of the name Carlos?
Germanic, through Latin and Spanish. Several kings of Spain and Portugal bore it.
Is Carlos a girl's or a boy's name?
Carlos is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Carlos?
In 2024, Carlos was the 135th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 2,614 births.
What are the variants of the name Carlos?
Variants and related names of Carlos include Charles.
What are good sibling names for Carlos?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Hailey, Anna, Julia and Maria for a sister, Luis, Robert, Richard and Jesus for a brother.
Who are famous people named Carlos?
Carlos Santana, guitarist; Carlos Alcaraz, tennis player; Carlos Fuentes, writer; Carlos Sainz, racing driver.