Origin and Meaning of Carl

Free man, strong

Origin: Germanic - Derived from the Old High German name 'karal', which means 'man' or 'free man'. The name has connections to the Scandinavian name 'Karl'.

• Carl is a traditional name that has been used in various cultures, particularly in Germanic and Scandinavian regions.
• In English-speaking countries, Carl gained popularity in the 19th century and has remained a classic choice for boys.
• Notable bearers of the name include Carl Friedrich Gauss, a renowned mathematician, and Carl Jung, a famous psychologist.
• While not overwhelmingly popular, Carl has maintained a steady presence in baby name registries, ranking within the top 500 names in the United States during the late 20th century.
• Variations and related names include Charles (English and French), Carlo (Italian), and Karl (Scandinavian).