Carl
Carl is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Free man.
Origin and history
Carl is a classic male name of Germanic origin, derived from the element meaning 'free man'. It was historically popular in Europe and became a staple in the United States throughout the twentieth century. While its popularity has declined in recent years, it remains a timeless and recognizable classic.
Popularity in the United States
504,827 babies in the United States have been named Carl since 1880. It ranks #64 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #901.
States where it is most popular
- PA (7.5 %)
- NY (7.1 %)
- OH (6.8 %)
- IL (5.8 %)
- TX (4.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 5,227 |
| 1890-1900 | 8,047 |
| 1900-1910 | 9,865 |
| 1910-1920 | 48,454 |
| 1920-1930 | 69,851 |
| 1930-1940 | 66,759 |
| 1940-1950 | 72,739 |
| 1950-1960 | 78,752 |
| 1960-1970 | 60,787 |
| 1970-1980 | 31,370 |
| 1980-1990 | 25,472 |
| 1990-2000 | 14,693 |
| 2000-2010 | 7,198 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,225 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,388 |
Famous people named Carl
- Carl Sagan: Astronomer, Author
- Carl Lewis: Athlete, Track and Field Champion
- Carl Jung: Psychiatrist, Psychoanalyst
Nicknames
Carlie
Fun facts
- Carl shares its etymology with Charles, a name borne by numerous kings and emperors across European history.
- Carl ranks among the top 100 most used male names in the United States based on cumulative SSA records since 1880.