Carl
Carl is a boy name of Germanic origin, meaning “Free man”.
| Meaning | Free man |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Germanic |
| Pronunciation | KARL |
| Tradition | Modern & Classic |
| Used in | Germany, Sweden, United States, Denmark |
Meaning and origin of Carl
Carl is the German and Scandinavian form of Charles, from Germanic karl, 'man' or 'free man', a word that also gave English churl. It was made famous by Charlemagne, Karl der Grosse, and has been carried by kings of Sweden including the current Carl XVI Gustaf. Notable bearers include the scientist Carl Sagan and the psychologist Carl Jung.
Is Carl a religious name?
Carl has no specific religious background; it is a historic Germanic name used across Europe.
How popular is Carl?
A classic name, common among older generations in the US and still used in Europe.
Gifts with the name Carl
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Spellings and variants of Carl
Names similar to Carl
More boy names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Carl mean?
Carl means 'Free man'. It is of Germanic origin.
Does Carl have a religious meaning?
Carl has no specific religious background; it is a historic Germanic name used across Europe.
How do you pronounce Carl?
Carl is pronounced KARL.
Is Carl a boy or girl name?
Carl is usually a boy name.