Karl

Karl is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. It derives from the Old High German Karl, generally interpreted as meaning “man” or “free man.” The form is a cognate of the English Charles, with the Latin version Carolus; related names include Carl, Carlo, and Karol.

The name has historically been popular in German-speaking countries and across Scandinavia, and it remains common in many European languages. Variants include Carl, Carlo, Karol, and Karli, with the spelling Karl most common in German, Austrian, Swiss, and Nordic contexts. In some cases Karl also appears as a surname.

Notable individuals named Karl include Karl Marx (1818–1883), German-born philosopher and economist; Karl Popper (1902–1994), philosopher of science; Karl Lagerfeld (1933–2019), fashion designer; Karl Benz (1844–1929), engineer and automobile pioneer; Karl Malone (born 1963), American basketball player; and Karl Rove (born 1950), political consultant.

In modern usage, Karl remains a traditional, culturally resonant choice in many European countries, often associated with historic and classical connotations. It has produced numerous local forms and diminutives and continues to appear in literature and popular culture as a straightforward, enduring given name.