Karl

Name meaning, origin, pronunciation, and popularity rankings

How to pronounce the name Karl
Pronunciation guide for Karl
ARPA
K AA1 R L
IPA
kɑrl

Pronunciation Breakdown

Detailed phonetic analysis of how to say Karl

Syllables (1)

K AA1 R L

Bold syllables indicate primary stress

Sound Breakdown

K
key (k)
AA1
odd (ɑ)
R
read (r)
L
lee (l)

International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)

kɑrl

Standard international representation

Pronunciation Tips

• This is a single-syllable name, pronounced in one smooth sound.

• Emphasize the syllable marked in bold for correct pronunciation.

Name Statistics
Key metrics and characteristics of Karl

Structure

Character Count
4
Syllable Count
1
Vowel Ratio
25%
Name Family
karl

Usability

Pronunciation Difficulty4/10

Moderate difficulty

International Friendliness10/10

Works well across languages

DNA profile of the name Karl
Unique character and personality of the name Karl

Name Personality

The Global
Global
Adaptable
Modern

Key Characteristics

Length
Short

Concise and memorable

Rhythm
Monosyllabic

Simple and direct

Sound
Strong

Consonant-rich and crisp

Ease
Moderate

May require practice

Global
Universal

Works across cultures

Heritage
karl

Part of this name family

Letter Frequency

k×1
a×1
r×1

Most frequent letters in Karl

Visual Pattern

Tall bars = vowels, Short bars = consonants

Name Statistics

📊
Syllables
1 syllable
🗣️
Ease of Pronunciation
Easy
4/10 difficulty
🌍
International Friendliness
Excellent
10/10 global ease
Pronunciation Difficulty Comparison

How does Karl compare to the average name?

Karl4/10 😐
4.0
Average Name5.0/10
5.0

Karl is easier than average by 1.0 points.

Difficulty Scale:

Very Easy (02)
Easy (24)Karl
Moderate (46)
Challenging (68)
Difficult (911)
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Name Family

Names related to Karl (root: karl)

Current Name

Karl

Related Names (9)

Short variations:

Karla
Karle

Medium variations:

Karlah
Karlan
Karlau
Karlea
Karleah
Karlee

Long variations:

Karla-louise

Karl belongs to a family of 10 related names.

What does the name Karl mean?
The meaning of Karl

karl fellow, man

karl <n> man

Meaning Theme
The emotional tone and themes in Karl's meanings

Primary Theme

📖
Descriptive

Based on origin, place, or historical context

Theme Distribution

Descriptive
2
Name Numerology
Numerological analysis and letter patterns for Karl

Life Path Number

6
The Nurturer

Compassionate souls who find fulfillment in caring for others and creating harmony.

Caring
Responsible
Protective
Harmonious

Most Common Letters

k×1
a×1
r×1
l×1

Sound Composition

Vowels
1(25%)
Consonants
3(75%)

Consonant-heavy names tend to sound more crisp and strong

Numerology Breakdown

k2
a1
r9
l3

Each letter is assigned a number (1-9). These are added together and reduced to find your Life Path Number.

Notable People Named Karl
Famous individuals named Karl
👤

Karl Friedrich von Savigny

German politician (1814-1875)

Born: 1814

👤

Karl vom Stein zum Altenstein

Prussian politician (1770-1840)

Born: 1770

👤

Karl Hein

German hammer thrower (1908–1982)

Born: 1908

👤

Karl Samuel Leberecht Hermann

German chemist (1765-1846)

Born: 1765

👤

Prince Wilhelm of Prussia

youngest child of Frederick William II of Prussia and Frederica Louisa of Hesse-Darmstadt (1783-1851)

Born: 1783

👤

Karl-Lothar Schulz

Luftwaffe general (1907–1972)

Born: 1907

👤

Karl Brown

American cinematographer (1896-1990)

Born: 1896

How popular is the name Karl?
Popularity rankings for Karl around the world
CountryGenderRankYears
Australiaboy#1001974-1974
Canadaboy#871964-1964
Franceboy#4242017-2017
Irelandboy#932005-2005
Norwayboy#921999-1999
Swedenboy#892009-2009
United Kingdomboy#4452007-2007
United Statesboy#9662009-2009
Country Comparison
How Karl ranks across different countries

Showing top 8 countries by ranking (lower rank = more popular)

What names are similar to Karl?
Names similar to Karl
What words rhyme with the name Karl?
Rhyming words for Karl
carl
carll
charle
ensnarl
garl
gnarl
gnarle
harl
mccarl
snarl

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you pronounce Karl?
IPA: /kɑrl/ ARPA: K AA1 R L This name has a moderate pronunciation difficulty.
How many syllables are in Karl?
Karl has 1 syllable.
Is Karl easy to pronounce?
Karl is relatively easy to pronounce for most English speakers. It doesn't contain uncommon sound combinations.
Is Karl easy to pronounce internationally?
Yes, Karl is extremely international-friendly (10/10). It uses sounds that are common across many languages and cultures, making it easy for people worldwide to pronounce.
Who are some famous people named Karl?
There are 100 notable people named Karl. This name has significant cultural presence and recognition.
What names are similar to Karl?
Names similar to Karl include: Karla, Karla-louise, Karlah, Karlan, Karlau. These names share similar sounds or roots.
Is Karl a good baby name?
Karl is a good baby name, particularly if you value names that are internationally friendly.
Is Karl a boy or girl name?
Karl can be used for any gender, though usage varies by culture and region. Check the rankings section to see gender distribution patterns.
How do you spell Karl?
The name is spelled K-a-r-l. Common spelling variations include: Karla, Karla-louise, Karlah.
What does the name Karl mean?
The name Karl has multiple meaningful interpretations. Primary meanings include "karl\nfellow, man" and "karl \nman". This name carries significant cultural and historical weight, reflecting the traditions and values of the cultures from which it originates. The meaning of a name often influences how it is perceived and can hold special significance for families choosing this name for their child.
What middle names go well with Karl?
Middle names that pair well with Karl include: Elizabeth, Alexander, Benjamin. Consider the flow and rhythm when saying the full name aloud. Names with different syllable counts often create a pleasant cadence.
What sibling names pair well with Karl?
Sibling names that pair well with Karl include: Karla, Karla-louise, Karlah, Karlan. These names share similar origins, sounds, or cultural backgrounds, creating a cohesive family naming theme.
Will teachers be able to pronounce Karl?
Most teachers will be able to pronounce Karl correctly after hearing it once or twice. It's relatively phonetic and doesn't contain unusual sound combinations. You may need to provide pronunciation guidance at the start of each school year.
What culture is the name Karl from?
Karl has a multicultural heritage, with potential roots in multiple linguistic and cultural traditions. Many names have complex etymological paths, being borrowed, adapted, and adopted across different cultures throughout history. This cultural journey often enriches the name with multiple layers of meaning and significance, reflecting the interconnected nature of human societies and their naming traditions.
Is Karl suitable for a professional career?
Karl works well professionally - it's internationally friendly for global careers. While name perception exists, professional success depends primarily on skills, work ethic, and personal qualities rather than name choice.
Is Karl a long or short name?
Karl is a very short name with 4 letters (1 syllable). Short names are easy to spell, pronounce, and remember. They work well for children who are learning to write their names.
What are common misspellings of Karl?
Common spelling variations of Karl include: Karla, Karlah, Karlan. Always verify the correct spelling with the parent.
What's the difference between Karl and Karla?
Karl and Karla are related names that share similar origins or sounds. Karl is spelled Karl while Karla is spelled Karla. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference, cultural background, or family tradition.