Rising since 1988, #867 for boys today.
Popularity of Carlo since 1894
Babies named Carlo per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 64 |
| 1910s | 865 |
| 1920s | 1,413 |
| 1930s | 955 |
| 1940s | 711 |
| 1950s | 877 |
| 1960s | 1,259 |
| 1970s | 1,965 |
| 1980s | 1,544 |
| 1990s | 1,474 |
| 2000s | 1,908 |
| 2010s | 1,678 |
| 2020s | 1,202 |
Meaning & origin
Carlo is the Italian form of Charles, a name with deep roots in European history. In the United States, Carlo first appeared in records in 1894 and has seen a notable resurgence, rising in popularity since 1988. As of 2025, it ranks 867th with a frequency of 1 in 6,189 births, and it reached its peak in that same year. The name is most common in states with large Italian-American populations, such as Arizona, California, and New Jersey. With its strong, classic sound and cultural ties, Carlo offers a distinctive alternative to the more common Charles.
Carlo is the Italian form of Charles, which derives from the Germanic name Karl, meaning 'free man'. The name was popularized across Europe by Charlemagne (Charles the Great), and Carlo has been consistently used in Italy since the Middle Ages.
Where Carlo 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.
“Carlo” around the world
Where Carlo lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Carletto, Carlino, Lillo
Sibling names for Carlo
Names that share Carlo's style, for a brother or sister.
