Karl Meaning

What does Karl mean?

The name Karl is of German origin.

The meaning of Karl is "free man, strong".

It is also of English origin, where its meaning is "man".

Karl is generally used as a boy's name.

It consists of 4 letters and 1 syllable and is pronounced Karl.

Karl is a form of Carl. See Carl for further details.

The name Karl, has a wonderfully luminous quality.

This great little boy name has a natural strength.

Karl is also great as a middle name.

Some famous bearers of this name include: Karl Adolph Gjellerup, and Karl August Fagerholm.

In the U.S. in 2018, it ranked 1,288 in baby name popularity for boys with 142 occurrences. Less than 5 girls were given the name.

In contrast, the year before it ranked 1,286 in baby name popularity for boys with 141 occurrences. Less than 5 girls were given the name.

The trend's your friend. See how Karl has changed in popularity since 1880 by visiting the Karl Name Popularity Page.

Karl is a form of Carl.

Karl ~ 4 hurricanes
Karl Adolph Gjellerup ~ Nobel Prize for Literature 1917
Karl August Fagerholm ~ Finnish Prime Minister (1948-1950; 1956-1957; 1958-1959)
Karl Benz ~ Scientist, Business Mogul
Karl Carstens ~ German President (1979-1984)
Karl Ferdinand Braun ~ Scientist, Nobel Prize for Physics 1909
Karl Heinz Rummenigge ~ Soccer Player
Karl I ~ Austrian Ruler (1519-1521), Norwegian King (1449-1450), Austrian Ruler (1916-1918)
Karl I (or VII) ~ Swedish King (1161-1167)
Karl I the Great ~ German King (800-814)
Karl II ~ Austrian Ruler (1711-1740), Norwegian King (1814-1818)
Karl II (or VIII) ~ Swedish King (1448-1457; 1464-1465; 1467-1470)
Karl II the Bald ~ German King (875-877)
Karl III Johan ~ Norwegian King (1818-1844)
Karl III the Fat ~ German King (881-888)
Karl IV ~ Norwegian King (1859-1872), German King (1346-1378)
Karl IX ~ Swedish King (1599-1611)
Karl Landsteiner ~ Nobel Prize for Medicine 1930
Karl Leisner ~ Saint
Karl Malden ~ Actor
Karl Malone ~ Basketball Player
Karl Urban ~ Actor
Karl V ~ German King (1519-1558)
Karl VI ~ German King (1711-1740)
Karl VII Albrecht ~ German King (1742-1745)
Karl von Frisch ~ Nobel Prize for Medicine 1973
Karl X Gustav ~ Swedish King (1654-1660)
Karl XI ~ Swedish King (1660-1697)
Karl XII ~ Swedish King (1697-1718)
Karl XIII ~ Swedish King (1809-1818)
Karl XIV Johan ~ Swedish King (1818-1844)
Karl XV ~ Swedish King (1859-1872)
Karl Ziegler ~ Nobel Prize for Chemistry 1963

Want to know how your name choice may effect your child?

It may give you some insight about your new baby.

Children named Karl are often neat and exalted but most of all they are read more >>

Would you like to fingerspell the name Karl in American Sign Language?

Then just follow the diagram below.

Be creative with the name Karl.

Just for fun, see the name Karl in Hieroglyphics, learn about ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics and write a Hieroglyphic message.

Learn about nautical flags and see your name or message written in nautical flags, on the Karl in Nautical Flags page.