The given name Karley is an English variant of the Germanic name Karl, which is derived from the Old Norse name Karlr. The name Karlr is thought to have originated from the Common Germanic word "kar-ala," meaning "free man" or "husband." This name was popular among the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, and it eventually spread across Europe during the Middle Ages.

The name Karley first appeared in England during the 12th century, when it was used as a diminutive form of the name Karl. It was initially more common as a surname, but it gradually gained popularity as a first name, particularly among the nobility and upper classes. One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Karley was Karley de Beaumont, a Norman knight who fought in the Crusades in the late 12th century.

In the Middle Ages, the name Karley was sometimes associated with the cult of St. Charlemagne, the King of the Franks and the first Holy Roman Emperor. However, there is no direct connection between the names Karley and Charlemagne, as the latter's name was derived from the Germanic name Karlus.

One of the most famous individuals with the name Karley was Karley I, King of England from 1625 to 1649. He was a controversial figure who was eventually executed during the English Civil War. Another notable bearer of the name was Karley Dickens (1812-1870), the renowned English novelist and social critic who wrote classics such as "A Tale of Two Cities" and "Great Expectations."

Other historical figures with the name Karley include Karley Lindbergh (1902-1974), the American aviator who became the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927, and Karley Chaplin (1889-1977), the English comic actor and filmmaker who is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema.

In more recent times, the name Karley has become more popular as a unisex name, although it is still more commonly given to boys. Some notable modern bearers of the name include Karley Rae Jepsen, a Canadian singer and songwriter, and Karley Kloss, an American fashion model and entrepreneur.