Declining since 2000, #150 for boys today.
Popularity of Carlos since 1880
Babies named Carlos per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 209 |
| 1890s | 252 |
| 1900s | 489 |
| 1910s | 2,110 |
| 1920s | 4,785 |
| 1930s | 5,553 |
| 1940s | 8,100 |
| 1950s | 15,821 |
| 1960s | 22,396 |
| 1970s | 36,949 |
| 1980s | 41,506 |
| 1990s | 55,185 |
| 2000s | 63,199 |
| 2010s | 35,301 |
| 2020s | 15,181 |
Meaning & origin
Carlos has been present in U.S. naming records since at least 1880, the earliest year tracked. It reached its peak popularity in 2001, when it ranked highest in usage. Since the 2000s, its trajectory has been falling, consistent with a broader shift away from traditional Spanish names in the early 21st century. In 2025, it holds a rank of 150 with a 1-in-706 frequency, meaning approximately 1400 baby boys were named Carlos that year. The name has strong regional ties: it is most common in states with large Hispanic populations, with the highest rates in Wyoming, Arizona, and Texas. Its history as a regal name in Spain and its easy recognizability in English have helped it maintain steady, though declining, popularity.
Carlos is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Charles, which derives from the Germanic name Karl, karlaz, meaning 'free man'. It was borne by several Spanish and Holy Roman emperors, notably Carlos I of Spain (also Holy Roman Emperor Charles V), and has been a core name in Iberian royal families since the Middle Ages. The name spread widely across the Spanish-speaking world and remains consistently popular.
Where Carlos 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.
“Carlos” around the world
Where Carlos lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Carl, Carlitos, Litos
Sibling names for Carlos
Names that share Carlos's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Maria, Carmen, Luisa, Ana, Sofia, Anita, Blanca, Juanita, Luz, Margarita, Maribel, Susana, Yesenia, Yolanda, Araceli, Benita, Bonita, Chiquita, Dulce, Ivelisse, Jaunita, Johana, Josefina, Juana, Lita, Lolita, Lupe, Marisela, Maritza, Rosita, Yadira, Amada, Annita, Carlota, Clarita, Enriqueta, Felisa, Janita, Junita, Mariajose, Maricruz, Marilu, Marita, Rosio, Sanjuana, Sarita, Vanita, Yarely, Yesica, Yulissa, Anakaren, Analaura, Analuisa, Aracelis, Argelia, Asusena, Carmalita, Chaquita, Charlita, Cherita, Claritza, Consuella, Dorita, Evita, Florita, Joaquina, Johanny, Juanda, Laurita, Lisseth, Luisana, Lurdes, Lus, Mariadejesus, Mariadelcarmen, Mariluz, Marisabel, Marisel, Melida, Ramonita, Rosenda, Tere, Tonita, Yaneth, Anacristina, Barba, Carmita, Chinita, Damary, Janitza, Juanetta, Leidy, Maricel, Marielis, Marlita, Marycarmen, Maryuri, Miguelina, Rosalita, Yalitza, Yaneisy, Ynez, Pura, Anaisabel, Candita, Chiquitta, Ercilia, Feliza, Juanna, Lucita, Marianita, Martita, Mata, Solangel, Soyla
Brothers: Jose, Antonio, Manuel, Luis, Jorge, Eduardo, Enrique, Fernando, Francisco, Jaime, Juan, Julio, Miguel, Pedro, Ramon, Raul, Roberto, Adolfo, Alvaro, Edgardo, Edwardo, Efren, Joseangel, Marcelino, Montez, Ricardo, Wilfredo, Alphonzo, Edmundo, Geraldo, Jamon, Joseluis, Josemanuel, Juanpablo, Justo, Luisangel, Luiz, Manolo, Migel, Miguelangel, Rodriquez, Sixto, Vidal, Enrrique, Froilan, Jaun, Jencarlos, Jorgeluis, Jorje, Joseantonio, Juanantonio, Juandiego, Juanito, Juanjose, Juanluis, Juanmanuel, Juliocesar, Lalo, Manual, Martinez, Rodriguez, Rogerio, Sanchez, Adolpho, Carlas, Josean, Juanangel, Juandavid, Juandedios, Juanmiguel, Jujuan, Luisantonio, Luisenrique, Luisfernando, Paco, Pancho, Salbador, Bacilio, Josejulian, Alfonsa, Antolin, Carmell, Cheo, Galo, Gerado, Hernandez, Josealberto, Josealfredo, Josedaniel, Joseguadalupe, Josejuan, Juandaniel, Luismanuel, Marlos, Pepe, Sanjuan, Victormanuel
Names like Carlos
Names whose popularity has moved with Carlos's over the last 50 years.
