Kartel first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Kartel has been for the last 14 years (from 2010 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Kartel

A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "cartridge" or "ammunition".

Popularity of Kartel by gender

Based on the last 14 years of data, Kartel is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 11 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kartel.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 11 0
2022 15 0
2021 11 0
2020 10 0
2019 15 0
2018 9 0
2017 10 0
2016 8 0
2015 6 0
2014 7 0
2013 9 0
2012 5 0
2010 7 0

The history of the first name Kartel

The name Kartel is believed to have its origins in the Caribbean region, specifically in Jamaica. It is thought to be derived from the Jamaican Patois word "kartel," which means a criminal organization or gang involved in illegal activities, particularly drug trafficking.

The term "cartel" itself has its roots in the Spanish word "cartel," which originally referred to a written challenge or defiance. Over time, it came to be associated with organized groups engaged in illegal activities, particularly in the context of drug cartels in Latin America and the Caribbean.

While the name Kartel may have been inspired by this criminal connotation, its use as a given name is relatively modern and does not appear to have any direct historical references or mentions in ancient texts or religious scriptures.

One of the earliest and most notable individuals to bear the name Kartel is the Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist Adidja Palmer, better known by his stage name Vybz Kartel (born January 7, 1976). He is considered one of the most influential and controversial figures in Jamaican dancehall music, known for his distinctive lyrical style and persona.

Another individual with the name Kartel is the American rapper and record producer Kashmir Kartel (born August 12, 1992). He is known for his collaborations with various artists in the hip-hop and rap genres.

In the world of sports, there is a South African cricketer named Kartel Taljard (born December 23, 1994), who plays for the Titans cricket team in domestic South African cricket.

A notable historical figure with a similar name is Cartel Morbihan (1835-1892), a French general and military strategist who served in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871.

Lastly, Kartel Grayson (1901-1986) was an American author and playwright active in the mid-20th century, known for his works exploring themes of social justice and civil rights.

It is important to note that while the name Kartel may have originated from a criminal context, its use as a given name does not necessarily carry the same connotations, and individuals bearing this name may have diverse backgrounds and professions.

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 Kartel was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Kartel first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 17, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/kartel-meaning-and-history/.

"Kartel first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/kartel-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 17 May, 2025

Kartel first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/kartel-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.