Carl
/kΙΛrl/noun
A male given name and surname, also used as a variant of Karl.
Did you know?Carl is the English form of a Germanic name from the same root as *king* and *charter*, ultimately tied to the idea of a free man, which is why it became linked to rulers and noble status in medieval Europe.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*karlaz
βan adult man; a free manβ
Old English
OE
ceorl
βa peasant, freeman, or common manβ
Old High German
OHG
karal
βman, husbandβ
Old Norse
ON
karl
βman, male, free manβ
Old French
OF
Charles
βthe name Charles, borne by rulers and noblesβ
Modern English
English
Carl
βa male given name, and a surnameβ