Karl: Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity

Pronunciation: ka-hrl
Origin: Germany
gender-male

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Emmy Samtani

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Updated on Aug 14, 2024 · 2 mins read
Region Origin: Western Europe
Meaning: Free man

Karl, also spelled as Carl, is an originally Germanic variant of the male given name Charles, which means "free man" or simply "a man". The name has its roots in Old High German and is derived from the word "karl," which means "man, husband, and freeman". The name Karl is popular throughout Europe, including in Germany, Sweden, and Norway. Notable people with the name Karl include several emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, such as Karl der Große, also known as Charlemagne. Other famous bearers of the name are Karl Marx, a German philosopher and one of the developers of communism, and Karl Jaspers, a German psychiatrist and existentialist philosopher. The name Karl has also been used in various forms of media, such as fictional characters in the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica series and Desperate Housewives.

Karl Name Popularity Data

chat-overall Karl is currently #584 in the popularity of the name rankings.
gender-female Boy: Karl is currently #584 on Kiindred Boy Names
gender-male Overall Unique: Karl is currently #576 on Kiindred Unique Names
gender-male Boy Unique: Karl is currently #576 on Kiindred Boy Unique Names

Popularity Trend Chart

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Famous People Named Karl

This section lists notable individuals and public figures named Karl, showcasing their achievements and contributions in various fields.

  • Karl Lagerfeld: Karl Lagerfeld was a German fashion designer, artist, and photographer known for his work as the creative director of Chanel and Fendi. He passed away in 2019.
  • Karl Urban: Karl Urban is a New Zealand actor known for his roles in "The Lord of the Rings," "Star Trek," and "The Boys."
  • Karl Marx: Karl Marx is a philosopher and economist who is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in history.

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