Origin of the name Karl:
Derived from the Germanic karl (a man, freeman, peasant).
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The wikipedia article on Charles Martel, the first bearer of the name Karl, gives an interesting story as to the origin of the name Karl:
"The following tale is told of Charles and of the origins of his name: in 686, Pippin II and his wife Plectrude were talking together in a room when they were intruded upon by a messenger, bringing news that the Mayor's mistress, Alpaida, had given birth to a son at Herstal.The messenger, fearful of arousing the wrath of Plectrude, decided not to announce the news directly. Instead, he said: "Long live the king, it is a carl" ('man'). Pippin, equally cautious of his wife, dismissed the messenger as follows: "A carl, is it? Then let him be called that." This was done, and, so legend claims, the child was named "Carl"."
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Karl Marx, author of The Communist Manifesto
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NameVoyager US Popularity of Karl Over Time
NameMapper Current Popularity of Karl by State
Global Popularity of the Name Karl
- #80 in Iceland
- #142 in Norway
- #307 in Canada (Quebec)
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