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Karla Girl

Popularity: #584 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationKAR-lah / /ˈkɑːr.lə/

German; Spanish; Scandinavian

Meaning

German: free woman; Spanish: strong; Scandinavian: pure

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Karla has its roots in the Germanic name Karl, which is derived from the Old High German word "karal," meaning "man" or "free man." This name evolved through various linguistic forms, including the Latin "Carolus," which was used in medieval texts. The name Karl became popular in the German-speaking regions of Europe and was later adopted into other languages, including English, as Charles. The feminine form, Karla, emerged as a derivative in the 19th century, particularly in German-speaking countries, and was influenced by the trend of feminizing masculine names by adding an "-a" ending.

Historically, the name Karl has significant associations, notably with Charlemagne (Charles the Great), who was crowned Emperor of the Romans in 800 AD and is a pivotal figure in European history. The name has been borne by numerous kings and emperors throughout the Middle Ages, reinforcing its noble connotations. The feminine form, Karla, gained traction in the 20th century, particularly in the context of cultural movements that embraced strong female identities. Notable figures with the name include Karla Homolka, a Canadian criminal, and Karla Faye Tucker, an American woman who became the first woman executed in Texas since the Civil War, both of whom contributed to the name's visibility in contemporary discourse.

Culturally, the name Karla resonates with themes of strength and independence, reflecting the qualities associated with its masculine counterpart. It has been embraced in various artistic and literary contexts, often symbolizing resilience and empowerment. The name's phonetic appeal and historical significance have contributed to its endurance in various cultures, making it a name that carries both heritage and modern relevance. The diminutive form "Karly" has also been used, though it is less common than the full version.

Trend Summary

Karla has experienced fluctuating popularity in the United States, peaking in the 1970s and 1980s.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Carla
  • Karly

International Variants

  • Carla (Italian)
  • Karla (Czech)
  • Karla (Slovak)

Famous people named Karla

Karla Bonoff is a singer-songwriter best known for her songs Someone to Lay Down Beside Me, Home, and Personally.

Karla Souza is an actress best known for her roles in How to Get Away with Murder, Instructions Not Included, and The Good Place.

Karla C. is a singer best known for her work in the Latin music genre and her hit singles.

Karla DeVito is a singer and actress best known for her work with Meat Loaf and her song We Belong to the Night.

Fictional characters named Karla

Karla is a fictional character from the video game series Resident Evil. She is a key antagonist in Resident Evil 6, known for her intelligence and manipulation.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Karla was first seen in the United States in 1915. Karla has ranked as high as #333 nationally, which occurred in 1964, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Illinois, New York, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Karla has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Karla (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 62
18%
TX 61
17%
FL 31
9%
NY 20
6%
AZ 14
4%
PA 13
4%
OH 13
4%
NC 11
3%
GA 11
3%
VA 11
3%
IL 10
3%
WA 10
3%
CO 8
2%
NJ 8
2%
NV 8
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19157
19167
19177
19195
19205
19228
19235
19246
192510
192711
192810
192910
193010
193119
193228
193332
193446
193538
193673
193781
193887
1939122
1940137
1941148
1942187
1943218
1944217
1945319
1946427
1947504
1948465
1949480
1950592
1951722
1952829
1953941
19541,135
19551,205
19561,391
19571,529
19581,484
19591,635
19601,655
19611,871
19621,946
19632,008
19642,060
19651,804
19661,686
19671,646
19681,504
19691,536
19701,634
19711,417
19721,121
19731,111
19741,065
19751,013
1976978
19771,000
1978948
19791,080
19801,026
1981986
1982957
1983940
1984934
1985902
1986915
1987868
1988866
1989966
19901,002
19911,088
19921,157
19931,196
19941,259
19951,182
19961,435
19971,470
19981,472
19991,609
20001,587
20011,699
20021,840
20031,779
20041,749
20051,716
20061,656
20071,581
20081,421
20091,116
2010989
2011910
2012761
2013647
2014620
2015616
2016554
2017553
2018476
2019427
2020420
2021411
2022425
2023398
2024385