Carlson

A boys’ name of Old English origin, meaning son of Carl; free man.

Babies a year
17
the US, 2017
Rarity
Very rare
among names in use
US popularity
—
outside the top 1000
UK popularity
—
outside the ONS list

Carlson by the numbers

Carlson was given to 17 American babies in 2017, the most recent full year we hold.

Its American peak was 19 babies in 2016, making it a 2010s name.

Other names that come from Carl

Like Carlson, each of these traces back to Carl: a form of it, a name built from it, or a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.

  • Carlya free person; a form of Carla or Carl687 in the US (2017)
  • Carlfree man; a form of Charles411 in the US (2017)
  • Carliefree man; a form of Carl or Charlie217 in the US (2017)
  • Karleighfree man; a feminine invented spelling of Carl181 in the US (2017)
  • Carleyfree man; a form of Carl or Charles146 in the US (2017)
  • Carlynnfree man; a feminine form of Carl25 in the US (2017)

Spelled almost the same

Other names in the records within a letter or two of Carlson. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.

  • Carsonson of the marsh-dweller4,910 in the US (2017)
  • Carltonsettlement of the peasants or common people71 in the US (2017)
  • Carrson11 in the US (2017)
  • Carlosfree man; a form of Charles3,058 in the US (2017)
  • Colsoncoal-black; son of Cole321 in the US (2017)
  • Carsynson of the marsh dweller; a respelling of Carson296 in the US (2017)

Other names that mean freedom

Like Carlson, each of these has freedom in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.

  • Charlesfree man7,142 in the US (2017)
  • Maverickindependent, unbranded4,737 in the US (2017)
  • Charliefree man1,679 in England and Wales (2025)
  • Franciscofree man, frenchman; from Franciscus1,398 in the US (2017)
  • Frankiefree man; a form of Frank887 in England and Wales (2025)
  • Frankfree man272 in England and Wales (2025)

Names about as common as Carlson

BleuSonnieMehtabIzaanAzlaanFergusZakariyyaCezar

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