Karl

Meaning of Karl

Karl springs from the hearty German word for “free man,” and he still walks with that easy, wide-open stride. Say it like “car” with a friendly “l” at the end—KAHRL—and you’re off. The name has marched through history on bold shoulders: philosopher Karl Marx, star-gazer Karl Jansky, and fashion maestro Karl Lagerfeld, to name a lively trio. In Latin-flavored spirit, Karl dances between strength and corazón, promising a boy who can lead the charge and still offer a warm abrazo. American charts show he’s never chased the spotlight, yet he’s never left the party either—hovering around the Top 1,000 for more than a century, quietly confident. Picture a little Karl: backpack slung, ideas sparking, freedom humming like a mariachi trumpet. He’s classic without feeling dusty, playful without losing gravitas. For parents seeking a name that carries history, heart, and a dash of rebel rhythm, Karl says, “¡Vamos!” with a grin.

Pronunciation

German

  • Pronunced as KAHRL (/kaːɐ̯l/)

English

  • Pronunced as KAHRL (/kɑrl/)

U.S. Popularity Chart

States Popularity Chart

Notable People Named Karl

Karl Marx -
Karl Popper -
Karl Lagerfeld -
Karl Liebknecht -
Karl Malone -
Karl Barth -
Karl Malden -
Karl von Habsburg -
Karl Schwarzschild -
Karl Jenkins -
Karl Ove Knausgård -
Karl Urban -
Karl Heinrich Ulrichs -
Carmen Rivera
Curated byCarmen Rivera

Assistant Editor