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Name Origin

Carl is a masculine given name of German origin, derived from the Old Germanic element 'karl' meaning 'free man' or 'man'. It was popularized in the Middle Ages and has been used consistently across Europe ever since.

germanmasculinemedievalclassicstrong

Famous People

Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777-1855)

Mathematician, physicist, astronomer

Considered one of the greatest mathematicians of all time
Made significant contributions to number theory, algebra, statistics, analysis, differential geometry, geodesy, geophysics, electrostatics, astronomy, and many other fields

Carl Sagan (1934-1996)

Astronomer, cosmologist, author

Popularized science through his books and television series Cosmos
Advocate for scientific skepticism and critical thinking

Carl Jung (1875-1961)

Psychologist, psychiatrist

Founder of analytical psychology
Developed concepts like the collective unconscious and archetypes

Carl Lewis (1961-)

Track and field athlete

Won nine Olympic gold medals
Considered one of the greatest sprinters of all time

Carl Cox (1962-)

DJ, music producer

Pioneer of techno and house music
Performed at major festivals and clubs worldwide

Sibling Names

Greta

Both Carl and Greta are classic Scandinavian names with a timeless elegance.

Anna

Similar in style and origin, Anna offers a feminine counterpart to Carl's masculine charm.

Thomas

Sharing Germanic roots, Thomas complements Carl with a strong, traditional feel.