Holding steady.
Popularity of Carlis since 1912
Babies named Carlis per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1946, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Carlis's real moment was 1935.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 81 |
| 1920s | 0 | 186 |
| 1930s | 6 | 183 |
| 1940s | 21 | 195 |
| 1950s | 77 | 187 |
| 1960s | 58 | 145 |
| 1970s | 11 | 94 |
| 1980s | 5 | 84 |
| 1990s | 0 | 53 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 13 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Carlis is a rare and distinctive name that emerged in the early 20th century, first recorded in U.S. data in 1912. It saw its highest frequency in the 1930s, with a peak year in 1935, but has never entered the top 1,000 names. Its trajectory has been stable, meaning its usage has remained low and consistent over time without notable spikes or declines. The name is likely a modern invented formation, combining the classic name Carl with the -is suffix popular in the early 1900s. While its origins are unclear, Carlis offers a unique alternative to more common names like Curtis or Carl, with a sound that feels familiar yet uncommon.
The name Carlis is a modern English coinage, likely formed by blending the name Carl (from the Germanic element 'karl', meaning 'free man') with the fashionable -is suffix seen in names like Ellis or Harris. No clear derivation from traditional names is attested. It appears in U.S. records as early as 1912, but has never ranked among the top 1,000 names.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Carl, Carly
Sibling names for Carlis
Names that share Carlis's style, for a brother or sister.
