The nameKarl

Karl is the German and Scandinavian form of Charles. It was a top 110 name in England and Wales in 1996.

Boy's name
Germanic
Feast day

Meaning

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

Origin

Germanic.

History

Charlemagne is Karl der Grosse in German. In England and Wales Karl reached 110th in 1996. In the United States it reached 135th in 1960.

Did you know?

Karl Lagerfeld was creative director of Chanel from 1983 until his death in 2019.

Famous people named Karl

Karl Marx, philosopher
Karl Lagerfeld, fashion designer
Karl Urban, actor

Popularity of the name Karl

Karl in the United States

1686thmost popular boys' name in the United States in 2024

1960peak year (2,614 births)

101,648babies named Karl 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.

Karl was most popular in the United States in the 1960s, with 21,408 births over the decade, 21% of all recorded babies named Karl. Its rise began around 1912, and it peaked in 1960. Half of all babies named Karl in the United States were born before 1960, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 109 births a year on average, against 156 in the five years before.

Karl in the United Kingdom

1582ndmost popular boys' name in the United Kingdom in 2025

1997peak year (374 births)

2,539babies named Karl 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.

Karl was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 1,155 births over the decade, 45% of all recorded babies named Karl. Half of all babies named Karl in the United Kingdom were born before 2002. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 17 births a year on average, against 26 in the five years before.

Karl in Ireland

897thmost popular boys' name in Ireland in 2025

1980peak year (192 births)

4,556babies named Karl in Ireland since 1964

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

Karl in France

608thmost popular boys' name in France, latest official figures

1972peak year (330 births)

10,670babies named Karl in France since 1900

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

Karl in Austria

153rdmost popular boys' name in Austria in 2025

1984peak year (180 births)

1,992babies named Karl in Austria since 1984

Births per year in Austria. Source: Statistik Austria (until 2009, Austrian nationals only).

Karl in Norway

178thmost popular boys' name in Norway in 2025

1946peak year (259 births)

8,125babies named Karl in Norway since 1945

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

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Karl

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

For a sister

For a brother

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

Karl in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Karl mean?

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

What is the origin of the name Karl?

Germanic.

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

Karl is a boy's name.

How popular is the name Karl?

In 2024, Karl was the 1686th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 99 births.

What are the variants of the name Karl?

Variants and related names of Karl include Charles and Karla.

What are good sibling names for Karl?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Yvette, Irma, Alisha and Carla for a sister, Gerald, Gilbert, Carl and Fredrick for a brother.

Who are famous people named Karl?

Karl Marx, philosopher; Karl Lagerfeld, fashion designer; Karl Urban, actor.