Log in · Sign up

Karl Boy

Popularity: #825 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

Pronunciationkarl / /kɑːrl/

German; Scandinavian; Dutch

Meaning

German: free man; Scandinavian: strong; Dutch: man

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Karl has its roots in the Germanic word "karla," which means "man" or "free man." This term evolved through various linguistic stages, beginning with Old High German as "karal" and later appearing in Middle High German as "karl." The name made its way into Latin as "Carolus," which was used in the context of the Carolingian dynasty, particularly associated with Charlemagne (Charles the Great), who ruled in the late 8th and early 9th centuries. The Latin form "Carolus" was subsequently adopted into Old French as "Charles," which further influenced the development of the name in various European languages, including English.

Historically, the name Karl has been borne by several notable figures, including kings and emperors. One of the most significant was Charles I of England, who ruled in the 17th century and was executed in 1649, marking a pivotal moment in British history. The name also appears in various forms across different cultures, such as Charles in French and Carlos in Spanish, reflecting its widespread adoption and adaptation. The name's association with nobility and leadership has contributed to its enduring presence in European history.

Culturally, Karl has been associated with strength and leadership, often symbolizing a noble or free-spirited individual. In German-speaking countries, the name has maintained a strong presence, often linked to historical figures and folklore. The diminutive form "Karlchen" has also been used affectionately in German culture, showcasing the name's versatility and warmth. Overall, the name Karl carries a rich historical and cultural significance, rooted in its etymological origins and the legacy of prominent figures throughout history.

Trend Summary

The name Karl has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., with a notable decline in recent decades.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Carl
  • Karel
  • Karol

International Variants

  • Carlo (Italian)
  • Charles (English)
  • Carlos (Spanish)
  • Karlis (Latvian)

Famous people named Karl

Karl Marx was a philosopher and economist best known for The Communist Manifesto, Das Kapital, and his theories on socialism.

Karl Lagerfeld was a fashion designer best known for his work with Chanel, Fendi, and his own eponymous label.

Karl Urban is an actor best known for The Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, and The Boys.

Karl Landsteiner was a biologist and physician best known for discovering blood groups and the Rh factor.

Karl Popper was a philosopher best known for his work on the philosophy of science and the concept of falsifiability.

Karl Friedrich Schinkel was an architect and painter best known for his neoclassical buildings in Berlin and Potsdam.

Karl Malden was an actor best known for A Streetcar Named Desire, On the Waterfront, and The Streets of San Francisco.

Karl Ove Knausgård is an author best known for his series My Struggle and his autobiographical writing style.

Karl Dönitz was a naval officer best known for his role as Commander of the German Navy during World War II and briefly serving as President of Germany.

Karl Benz was an engineer and inventor best known for founding the Mercedes-Benz company and developing the first gasoline-powered automobile.

Fictional characters named Karl

Karl is a fictional character from the video game series Spec Ops. He is a soldier whose experiences in combat lead to significant moral dilemmas throughout the story.

Karl is a fictional character from the animated series The Magic School Bus. He is a student in Ms. Frizzle's class who often participates in the educational adventures.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Karl was first seen in the United States in 1880. Karl has ranked as high as #293 nationally, which occurred in 1960, and has been most popular in New York, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Karl has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Karl (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 12
30%
FL 8
20%
TX 8
20%
NY 7
18%
MO 5
13%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188021
188129
188240
188333
188434
188544
188648
188749
188871
188950
189047
189161
189259
189363
189473
189567
189660
189757
189853
189949
190075
190154
190265
190370
190467
190565
1906108
190789
190897
1909102
191092
1911156
1912323
1913387
1914548
1915715
1916685
1917673
1918600
1919515
1920502
1921573
1922527
1923565
1924584
1925589
1926595
1927630
1928599
1929637
1930648
1931635
1932670
1933681
1934689
1935812
1936830
1937907
1938985
1939866
1940855
1941864
1942878
1943907
1944837
1945758
1946998
19471,119
19481,187
19491,321
19501,304
19511,439
19521,564
19531,653
19541,736
19551,936
19562,058
19572,338
19582,348
19592,355
19602,594
19612,545
19622,456
19632,513
19642,402
19652,021
19661,792
19671,695
19681,599
19691,566
19701,576
19711,323
19721,167
1973986
19741,004
1975904
1976868
1977941
1978900
1979959
19801,059
19811,062
1982974
1983912
1984895
1985961
1986903
1987853
1988843
1989908
1990858
1991811
1992738
1993662
1994612
1995598
1996504
1997483
1998455
1999389
2000366
2001351
2002330
2003299
2004281
2005265
2006270
2007242
2008188
2009207
2010177
2011172
2012161
2013169
2014165
2015184
2016167
2017141
2018143
2019144
2020104
2021115
2022128
2023101
202499