Find out how popular the first name Carles has been for the last 47 years (from 1975 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.
A name derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "man, husband" or "free man".
Based on the last 47 years of data, Carles is exclusively a male name.
For the most recent data in 2021, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Carles.
Year | Male Count | Female Count |
---|---|---|
2021 | 6 | 0 |
2019 | 5 | 0 |
2017 | 6 | 0 |
2016 | 6 | 0 |
2014 | 7 | 0 |
2013 | 6 | 0 |
2012 | 8 | 0 |
2011 | 8 | 0 |
2010 | 6 | 0 |
2008 | 6 | 0 |
1993 | 5 | 0 |
1988 | 5 | 0 |
1985 | 6 | 0 |
1984 | 5 | 0 |
1983 | 6 | 0 |
1981 | 11 | 0 |
1980 | 6 | 0 |
1978 | 5 | 0 |
1977 | 6 | 0 |
1976 | 9 | 0 |
1975 | 6 | 0 |
Carles is a masculine given name derived from the Germanic name Karloz, which ultimately traces its roots back to the Proto-Germanic word *karlaz, meaning "freeman" or "free man." The name gained prominence during the reign of Charlemagne, the Frankish king and the first ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, who lived from 742 to 814 AD.
The name Carles is particularly prevalent in the Catalan-speaking regions of Spain, where it is the Catalan form of the Spanish name Carlos. It has been used in Catalonia for centuries and has a rich cultural and historical significance in the region.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Carles can be found in the 12th-century work "Llibre dels Fets" (Book of Deeds), which chronicles the life and conquests of King Jaume I of Aragon, who was born in 1208 and is also known as Jaume el Conqueridor (James the Conqueror).
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Carles. One of the most famous is Carles I d'Espanya (Charles I of Spain), who was born in 1500 and ruled as the King of Spain from 1516 until his abdication in 1556. He was also the Holy Roman Emperor as Charles V from 1519 until his abdication in 1556.
Another significant figure is Carles III d'Espanya (Charles III of Spain), who was born in 1716 and reigned as the King of Spain from 1759 to 1788. He is remembered for his efforts to modernize and reform the Spanish government and economy during his reign.
In the realm of arts and literature, Carles Riba (1893-1959) was a renowned Catalan poet and scholar who played a crucial role in the revival of Catalan literature in the early 20th century. His works, including "Estances" and "Elegies de Bierville," are considered masterpieces of Catalan poetry.
Carles Buïgas (1901-1973) was a prominent Catalan architect and urban planner who was influential in the development of modern architecture in Barcelona and the surrounding regions. He is particularly known for his contributions to the urban planning of Barcelona's Eixample district.
In the world of sports, Carles Puyol (born in 1978) is a retired Spanish professional football player who served as the captain of the Spanish national team and the renowned club Barcelona. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in the history of the sport.
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 Carles was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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"Carles first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on September 22, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/carles-meaning-and-history/.
"Carles first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/carles-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 22 September, 2025
Carles first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/carles-meaning-and-history/.
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