Karl
Karl is a boy name of Germanic origin, meaning “Free man”.
| Meaning | Free man |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Germanic |
| Pronunciation | KARL |
| Tradition | Modern & Classic, Christian |
| Used in | Germany, Sweden, Austria, Norway |
Meaning and origin of Karl
Karl is the German and Scandinavian form of Charles, from the Germanic karl, 'man' or 'free man'. Its great historical bearer is Charlemagne, known in German as Karl der Grosse, who was crowned emperor in 800. The name has been used by many European rulers and is common across Germany, Austria and Scandinavia.
Is Karl a religious name?
Karl is not biblical; it is a Germanic name that spread through Christian Europe via its rulers and saints such as Charles Borromeo.
How popular is Karl?
Familiar in German- and Scandinavian-speaking countries; less common in English, where Carl is the usual spelling.
Gifts with the name Karl
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Spellings and variants of Karl
Names similar to Karl
More boy names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Karl mean?
Karl means 'Free man'. It is of Germanic origin.
Does Karl have a religious meaning?
Karl is not biblical; it is a Germanic name that spread through Christian Europe via its rulers and saints such as Charles Borromeo.
How do you pronounce Karl?
Karl is pronounced KARL.
Is Karl a boy or girl name?
Karl is usually a boy name.