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Meanings and history of the name Karl

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"."

In German, the modern cognate word "Kerl", means "guy, fellow".

Famous real-life people named Karl

Karl Marx, author of The Communist Manifesto
Karl Lagerfeld, German fashion designer
Karl Landsteiner, Austrian biologist and physician
Karl Malden (1912-2009), American actor
Karl Pilkington, English radio presenter
Karl Popper, Austrian/British philosopher
Karl Rapp, German engineer
Karl Rove, American political advisor
Karl Urban, New Zealand actor
Karl Weierstrass, German mathematician
Karl Wendlinger, Austrian race car driver
Karl Hess, American comedian

Karl in song, story & screen

Karl Stromberg, James Bond villain
Karl Walken, Black Cat mayor
Karl Marsten, from Kelley Armstrong's the Otherworld series
Karl Fink, from Dog With a Blog