Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Carl
BoyGerman, Germanic· “free man”
- Meaning
- free man
- Origin
- German, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- KAHRL
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,134
- US babies 2025
- 187
- Best rank
- #22 (1894)
- Peak year
- 1956
Meaning and origin of Carl
Carl is a German and Germanic name that means “free man”.
Carl is the German and Scandinavian form of Charles, from the Germanic word karl, meaning "man" or "free man." The same word gave English the old term churl. The name was borne by many kings of Sweden, including Carl XVI Gustaf, and by the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung and the astronomer Carl Sagan. Carl came into wider English use in the nineteenth century through German immigration to the United States. It is short, solid and straightforward, with a friendly, practical image. Karl is the standard German spelling.
Other spellings with the same sound: Karl.
Popularity over time
Carl has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 143 different years. Its best national rank was #22 in 1894, and the most babies received it in 1956, when 8,313 were named Carl. In 2025, 187 babies were named Carl, and it ranked #1,134 nationally. That is 59% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #27 in 1920, #44 in 1950, #103 in 1980, #304 in 2000, #563 in 2010, and #1,134 in 2025. Of the 504,827 US boys named Carl since records began, 16% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1940s come next, with 72,739 babies. Since 2010, 5,613 more have been named Carl.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Alan, Peter, Micheal, Keith, and Ray.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Carl ranked highest in Kansas, Kentucky, and Oregon.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | #356 | 10 |
| Kentucky | #531 | 8 |
| Oregon | #629 | 5 |
| New Jersey | #718 | 9 |
| Ohio | #719 | 12 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Carl is usually pronounced KAHRL, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with C and ends in “-rl”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Karl.
Middle names for Carl
A few middle names that flow with Carl: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Carl
Similar names
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Lists that include Carl
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Carl mean?
Carl is a German and Germanic name that means “free man”.
What is the origin of the name Carl?
Carl has German and Germanic roots. Carl is the German and Scandinavian form of Charles, from the Germanic word karl, meaning "man" or "free man." The same word gave English the old term churl.
Is Carl a popular name?
Not especially. Carl ranked #1,134 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Carl a boy or girl name?
Carl is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Carl?
Carl is usually pronounced KAHRL. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings