Carl
BoyGerman
Carl is a boy name of German origin meaning "Free man".
About this name
Gender
Boy
Language
German
Religion
Christian
Popularity
31 / 100
Syllables
1
Length
4 letters
Meaning
Free man
Etymology
From Old High German 'karl', meaning 'free man', likely derived from the Proto-Germanic word '*karlaz'.
Famous People Named Carl
- Carl Linnaeus — Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist (1707–1778)
- Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden — King of Sweden since 1973
- Carl Bildt — Swedish politician (1949-), prime minister 1991–1994, foreign minister 2006–2014
- Carl Peter Thunberg — Swedish naturalist (1743-1828)
- Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius — German botanist (1794-1868)
Frequently Asked Questions About Carl
What does the name Carl mean?
Carl means "Free man", and is of German origin.
What is the origin of the name Carl?
Carl originates from German, commonly used in Europe.
Is Carl a boy or girl name?
Carl is typically used as a boy name.
What religion is the name Carl associated with?
Carl is associated with Christian.
Are there famous people named Carl?
Yes — notable people named Carl include Carl Linnaeus (Swedish botanist, 1707–1778), Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden (King of Sweden since 1973), Carl Bildt (Swedish politician (1949-)), Carl Peter Thunberg (Swedish naturalist, 1743-1828) and Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius (German botanist, 1794-1868).
Last updated: June 2026