Karl
A boys’ name of Germanic origin, meaning free man.
Karl by the numbers
In 2025, 18 babies in England and Wales were named Karl. In the US, 141 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
It is used at about the same rate on both sides of the Atlantic.
Its American peak was 2,592 babies in 1960, so it is a 1960s name that has since fallen a long way.
Names that come from Karl
Forms of Karl in other languages, names built from it, and names that mean a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Karl. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Sounds like Karl
Names that are said the same way as Karl, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
- Carlfree man; a form of Charles411 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean freedom
Like Karl, 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)
- Carlosfree man; a form of Charles3,058 in the US (2017)
- Franciscofree man, frenchman; from Franciscus1,398 in the US (2017)
- Frankiefree man; a form of Frank887 in England and Wales (2025)
Names about as common as Karl
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