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Name Origin

Karl is a masculine given name of German origin, a shortened form of Karlmann meaning 'free man'. It is also a common variation of Charles in many European languages.

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Famous People

Karl Marx (1818-1883)

Philosopher, economist, sociologist, historian, journalist and revolutionary socialist

Developed Marxism, a theory of social, political, and economic change
Co-authored 'The Communist Manifesto'
Critiqued capitalism and advocated for a socialist revolution

Karl Friedrich Gauss (1777-1855)

Mathematician, astronomer, physicist

Known as the 'Prince of Mathematicians'
Made significant contributions to number theory, algebra, statistics, and astronomy
Developed the Gaussian distribution

Karl Popper (1902-1994)

Philosopher and professor

Developed the philosophy of science known as critical rationalism
Proposed the principle of falsifiability as a criterion for scientific theories

Karl Lagerfeld (1933-2019)

Fashion designer

Creative director of Chanel, Fendi and his own eponymous label
Known for his distinctive style and influential designs

Sibling Names

Greta

Both Karl and Greta are classic Scandinavian names, sharing a similar vintage feel and strong European heritage.

Emil

Emil and Karl share a Germanic origin and have a traditional, masculine sound that complements each other well.

Anna

Anna is a timeless and elegant name that pairs beautifully with the strong simplicity of Karl. They both feel classic and enduring.