Name Legacy

Karl

Recorded 1880–2025 · United States

Karl was most popular in 1960, when 2,614 American babies were given the name — ranking #299 that year. In 2025 it ranked #3,379, with 107 births. Across 1880–2025 the Social Security Administration has recorded 101,751 people named Karl.

Most popular in1960
Rank that year#299
Births that year2,614
Total since 1880101,751

Karl over time

18802025
Births per year. The dot marks Karl’s peak in 1960. Gaps are years the SSA suppressed, which it does for any name given to fewer than five babies.

Origin

A variant of Carl · Germanic · "free man"

Names that peaked alongside Karl

Explore further

See Karl on the interactive charts

Source: U.S.A. Social Security Administration. Years 1880–2025. namelegacy.org