Carlos Boy

Popularity: #149 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAR-los //ˈkaɾ.los//

Origin: Spanish; Portuguese

Meaning: Spanish: free man; Portuguese: strong man

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Carlos is of Spanish origin, derived from the Old High German name Karl, which means 'man' or 'free man.' The name Karl evolved into Carolus in Latin, which was then adapted into various forms across different languages. The transition from Carolus to Carlos occurred as the name was absorbed into the Spanish language, reflecting the linguistic influences of the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages.

This adaptation illustrates the broader cultural exchanges that took place as the Germanic tribes interacted with the Roman Empire and later with the Iberian cultures. Historically, the name Carlos has significant milestones, particularly in the context of Spanish royalty.

One notable figure is Charles I of Spain, who reigned in the 16th century and was also Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. His reign marked the height of Spanish power and influence during the Age of Exploration.

Additionally, Saint Charles Borromeo, a prominent figure in the Catholic Church during the Counter-Reformation in the 16th century, further cemented the name's religious significance. His canonization in 1610 contributed to the name's enduring presence in Christian contexts.

Culturally, the name Carlos has been associated with nobility and leadership, often embodying ideals of strength and freedom. It has appeared in various literary and artistic works, reinforcing its status as a name of historical and cultural weight.

The diminutive form, Carlitos, is also used affectionately in Spanish-speaking cultures, showcasing the name's versatility and emotional resonance. Overall, Carlos reflects a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical significance, and cultural associations that have contributed to its lasting legacy.

Famous people named Carlos

In this section, you will find notable people named Carlos. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Carlos who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Carlos who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Carlos Santana is a musician best known for Black Magic Woman, Smooth, and Oye Como Va.

Carlos Ruiz Zafón is an author best known for The Shadow of the Wind, The Angel's Game, and The Prisoner of Heaven.

Carlos Boozer is a former professional basketball player best known for his time with the Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz, and the U.S. National Team.

Carlos Tevez is a professional footballer best known for his time with Manchester City, Juventus, and the Argentina National Team.

Carlos Mencia is a comedian and actor best known for Mind of Mencia, The Heartbreak Kid, and his stand-up specials.

Carlos Correa is a professional baseball player best known for his time with the Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins.

Carlos Beltrán is a former professional baseball player best known for his time with the New York Mets, Houston Astros, and the U.S. National Team.

Carlos Sainz Jr. is a Formula One driver best known for racing with Scuderia Ferrari and his performances in the World Rally Championship.

Fictional characters named Carlos

The following list of fictional characters named Carlos is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Carlos is a fictional character from the animated film The Incredibles. He is a member of the superhero family known for his super speed and agility.

Carlos is a fictional character from the video game series Resident Evil. He is a skilled mercenary who plays a significant role in the fight against bioterrorism.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Carlos, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

JavierDiegoLuisAndrésMiguelSantiago

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Carlos. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

CarlCharlesKurtCarmenCésarCarmeloCarmineCarmel

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Carlos was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Carlos has ranked as high as #99 nationally, which occurred in 2001, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Carlos has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Carlos is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Carlos was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Carlos.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 2,418 2,418 0
2024 2,626 2,626 0
2023 2,562 2,557 5
2022 2,599 2,594 5
2021 2,506 2,506 0
2020 2,480 2,480 0
2019 2,846 2,846 0
2018 2,874 2,864 10
2017 3,075 3,075 0
2016 3,204 3,204 0
2015 3,421 3,421 0
2014 3,424 3,424 0
2013 3,684 3,684 0
2012 4,017 4,010 7
2011 4,187 4,182 5
2010 4,600 4,591 9
2009 5,379 5,379 0
2008 6,060 6,054 6
2007 6,426 6,420 6
2006 6,562 6,549 13
2005 6,577 6,563 14
2004 6,276 6,260 16
2003 6,234 6,218 16
2002 6,612 6,592 20
2001 6,864 6,842 22
2000 6,339 6,322 17
1999 6,683 6,665 18
1998 5,497 5,481 16
1997 5,483 5,463 20
1996 5,490 5,464 26
1995 5,566 5,545 21
1994 5,354 5,329 25
1993 5,388 5,353 35
1992 5,373 5,342 31
1991 5,370 5,330 40
1990 5,257 5,213 44
1989 4,683 4,638 45
1988 4,180 4,127 53
1987 4,191 4,149 42
1986 4,147 4,090 57
1985 4,119 4,089 30
1984 4,006 3,964 42
1983 3,953 3,912 41
1982 4,319 4,268 51
1981 4,223 4,185 38
1980 4,132 4,084 48
1979 4,210 4,165 45
1978 3,777 3,729 48
1977 3,846 3,795 51
1976 3,827 3,787 40
1975 3,844 3,793 51
1974 3,918 3,871 47
1973 3,611 3,569 42
1972 3,471 3,434 37
1971 3,471 3,426 45
1970 3,408 3,380 28
1969 2,923 2,891 32
1968 2,528 2,497 31
1967 2,322 2,298 24
1966 2,188 2,159 29
1965 2,160 2,131 29
1964 2,219 2,195 24
1963 2,133 2,112 21
1962 2,139 2,119 20
1961 2,030 2,001 29
1960 2,022 1,993 29
1959 1,964 1,947 17
1958 1,923 1,904 19
1957 1,805 1,787 18
1956 1,818 1,796 22
1955 1,722 1,703 19
1954 1,627 1,611 16
1953 1,404 1,393 11
1952 1,274 1,258 16
1951 1,255 1,233 22
1950 1,204 1,189 15
1949 1,148 1,135 13
1948 1,040 1,027 13
1947 1,039 1,032 7
1946 878 867 11
1945 736 719 17
1944 699 689 10
1943 708 698 10
1942 660 660 0
1941 621 614 7
1940 669 659 10
1939 588 579 9
1938 598 583 15
1937 543 531 12
1936 543 536 7
1935 565 559 6
1934 569 559 10
1933 572 563 9
1932 534 520 14
1931 553 545 8
1930 589 578 11
1929 570 557 13
1928 583 583 0
1927 552 544 8
1926 505 496 9
1925 477 471 6
1924 452 452 0
1923 434 427 7
1922 447 441 6
1921 399 393 6
1920 431 421 10
1919 312 312 0
1918 348 348 0
1917 298 298 0
1916 234 234 0
1915 273 273 0
1914 210 210 0
1913 165 160 5
1912 124 124 0
1911 69 69 0
1910 82 82 0
1909 60 60 0
1908 56 56 0
1907 74 74 0
1906 50 50 0
1905 58 58 0
1904 38 38 0
1903 41 41 0
1902 37 37 0
1901 38 38 0
1900 37 37 0
1899 36 36 0
1898 30 30 0
1897 28 28 0
1896 30 30 0
1895 20 20 0
1894 25 25 0
1893 26 26 0
1892 24 24 0
1891 16 16 0
1890 17 17 0
1889 25 25 0
1888 29 29 0
1887 20 20 0
1886 16 16 0
1885 28 28 0
1884 13 13 0
1883 22 22 0
1882 20 20 0
1881 19 19 0
1880 17 17 0

Top States for Carlos (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 610
23%
CA 469
18%
FL 169
7%
AZ 119
5%
NY 91
4%
IL 85
3%
NC 83
3%
GA 80
3%
NJ 57
2%
MD 54
2%
CO 53
2%
VA 52
2%
TN 47
2%
WA 44
2%
IN 42
2%
PA 41
2%
NV 36
1%
OK 36
1%
MI 35
1%
WI 33
1%
NM 30
1%
SC 28
1%
MA 25
1%
OH 25
1%
KY 23
1%
UT 22
1%
MO 22
1%
MN 21
1%
LA 20
1%
NE 20
1%
OR 19
1%
AL 16
1%
KS 16
1%
IA 15
1%
AR 12
0%
CT 12
0%
ID 10
0%
MS 10
0%
DE 7
0%
DC 7
0%