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Boy
Karl
free man
Origin
Germanic
Used in
de
Origin and meaning of Karl
Karl comes from Old Germanic karal or karl, 'free man, man of the people', the same root behind Italian Carlo and French/English Charles. It's an imperial name par excellence, borne by Charlemagne (Karl der Große) and many German and Austrian sovereigns, and remains a classic, authoritative choice in Germany, often seen as a leaner, more direct alternative to Karl-Heinz or Carl.
Variants around the world
How Karl sounds in other languages.
CarlCharlesCarloCarlosKarol
Famous people
- Karl Marx— philosopher
- Carlo Magno (Karl der Große)— emperor
- Karl Popper— philosopher
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Frequently asked questions
What does the name Karl mean?
The name Karl means free man.
What is the origin of the name Karl?
Origin of Karl: Germanic.
What are the international variants of the name Karl?
International variants of Karl: Carl, Charles, Carlo, Carlos, and Karol.