Declining since 1985, #1,132 for boys today.
Popularity of Carl since 1880
Babies named Carl per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1956, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Carl's real moment was 1915.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5,227 |
| 1890s | 8,047 |
| 1900s | 9,865 |
| 1910s | 48,454 |
| 1920s | 69,851 |
| 1930s | 66,759 |
| 1940s | 72,739 |
| 1950s | 78,752 |
| 1960s | 60,787 |
| 1970s | 31,370 |
| 1980s | 25,472 |
| 1990s | 14,693 |
| 2000s | 7,198 |
| 2010s | 4,225 |
| 2020s | 1,388 |
Meaning & origin
Carl is a solid, traditional name with deep Germanic roots, experiencing a slow decline in recent decades. In 2025, it ranked 1132nd nationally, given to approximately 1 in every 9,134 baby boys. This represents a significant drop from its peak popularity in 1915, when it was a top 30 name. The name began a steady downward trajectory after 1985, though it retains pockets of higher usage in states like Kansas, Kentucky, and Oregon. Carl has been recorded in U.S. naming data since 1880, making it one of the enduring classics of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its peak year, 1915, coincided with a wave of German and Scandinavian immigration, cementing its place in American naming history. Today, Carl is far less common than its English counterpart Charles, yet it maintains a sturdy, no-nonsense charm that appeals to those seeking a straightforward, internationally recognized name.
Carl is the German and Scandinavian form of Charles, derived from the Old High German 'karal', meaning 'man' or 'free man'. The name has been in use throughout Europe since the early Middle Ages, notably borne by Charlemagne (Karl der Grosse). It was introduced to the English-speaking world by Scandinavian settlers and later reinforced by German immigrants, becoming a common name in the United States by the 19th century. Carl has remained a steady classic, particularly favored in the American Midwest.
Where Carl is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Carl” around the world
Where Carl lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
55
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Carl
Names that share Carl's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Anna, Greta, Louise, Elsa, Margaret, Carleen, Carlene, Charlyn, Lida, Amalie, Berna, Carletta, Carma, Carlen, Carliss, Carlissa, Claretta, Coni, Darlean, Dellar, Signa, Caretha, Carlyne, Linn, Shell, Charl, Creta, Decarla, Gusta, Harla, Irlene, Nary
Brothers: Otto, Frederick, Henry, Theodore, Walter, Bruce, Randall, Emil, Arlon, Reno, Arnel, Lehman, Atwood, Carlas, Gearl, Harlis, Hearl, Kurk, Talton, Garl, Marl, Nobel, Willman
Names like Carl
Names whose popularity has moved with Carl's over the last 50 years.
