Find out how popular the first name Carl has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Carl by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Carl is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Carl being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 232 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Carl.

The history of the first name Carl

The name Carl has its origins in the Germanic languages, derived from the Old Norse name "Karl" and the Old English name "Cærl." These names are believed to have originated from the Common Germanic word "karlaz," meaning "man" or "husband."

The name gained widespread popularity in medieval Europe, particularly in areas where Germanic languages were spoken, such as Scandinavia, Germany, and England. It was often associated with strength, masculinity, and nobility.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Carl can be found in the 8th century, when Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great (742-814), was referred to as "Carolus Magnus" in Latin. This powerful ruler of the Frankish Empire played a significant role in shaping European history and promoting the spread of Christianity.

Another notable historical figure with the name Carl was Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778), a Swedish botanist, zoologist, and physician. He is renowned for his pioneering work in the classification of organisms and for establishing the modern system of binomial nomenclature used in the naming of species.

In the realm of literature, Carl Sandburg (1878-1967) was an influential American poet, writer, and editor. He is best known for his poetry collections, including "Chicago Poems" and "Cornhuskers," which celebrated the lives of ordinary people and the industrial landscape of the United States.

The name Carl has also been associated with notable scientists and mathematicians. Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777-1855) was a German mathematician and physicist who made significant contributions to various fields, including number theory, algebra, and electromagnetism.

Another prominent figure with the name Carl was Carl Jung (1875-1961), a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. He is widely regarded as the founder of analytical psychology and is known for his influential theories on the collective unconscious, archetypes, and personality types.

While the name Carl has a long and rich history, it has also been subject to variations and adaptations across different cultures and languages, such as Charles in English and Karl in German. Regardless of its spelling or pronunciation, the name continues to carry a sense of strength, masculinity, and cultural significance.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Carl was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Carl, please contact us.

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