Carly
/ˈkɑːr.li/noun
A given name, usually treated as a diminutive or feminine form of Carl, Carla, or Caroline.
Did you know?Carly ultimately connects to the Germanic name element meaning “free person,” which also lies behind Carl, Charles, and the English word churl.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*karlaz
“A free person or man, especially in contrast with an enslaved person or person of dependent status”
Early Germanic
Old Norse
karl
“A man, husband, or free peasant”
8th–9th Century
Old High German
Karal
“A man or free person; the source of the personal name later represented as Karl or Carl”
Medieval Period
Old English
ceorl
“A free peasant or common freeman, later developing into the word churl”
18th–19th Century
English
Carl
“A personal name adopted in English from Germanic and Scandinavian usage”
20th Century
English
Carly
“A modern diminutive or feminine form associated with Carl, Carla, and related names”