How Many People Are Named Karl?
Complete statistics for the name Karl: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Karl is a Germanic variation of Charles, meaning 'free man', and it's a classic old-school name that's become genuinely rare today. Around 66,455 Karls are living in the US right now, which works out to just 1 in 4,966 Americans. The striking thing is how much this name belongs to an older generation, with its peak all the way back in 1960.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life path number 6 is traditionally associated with responsibility, nurturing, and a deep sense of care for family and community. People with this number are seen as dependable and harmonious, often the ones others lean on for support.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 66All 101,627 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1960Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Karl Through the Generations
Karl hit its high point in 1960 with 2,614 births in a single year, and it's been a slow, steady decline ever since. Of the roughly 66,455 Karls alive in the US today, a striking 62% are over 60 years old, meaning the name is heavily concentrated in the baby boomer generation and older. Only 6,296 Karls are under 30, which shows just how rarely parents are choosing this spelling now. The average age of 66 tells the same story. The gap between all-time births of 101,627 and the estimated 66,455 living today is also notable, reflecting natural attrition in an older-skewing population. Karl isn't a forgotten name exactly, but it's one you're far more likely to encounter at a family reunion than a kindergarten classroom.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Karl's Germanic roots
📄 About the Name Karl
How Many People Have the Name Karl?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 5,638 people in the United States currently share the name Karl. That works out to roughly 1 in every 58,788 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Karl a Common or Rare Name?
Karl is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Karl Mean?
Karl means "free man" and comes from Germanic origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 6.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Karl in SSA data, approximately 99% are male and 1% are female.
When Was Karl Most Popular?
The name Karl reached peak popularity in 1960, with 2,614 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Karl?
Approximately 5,638 people named Karl live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 5,638. That works out to roughly 1 in 58,788 Americans.
Is Karl a rare name?
Karl is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 58,788 Americans has this name.
What does the name Karl mean?
Karl means "free man" and comes from Germanic origins.
Is Karl more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 99% of people named Karl are male and 1% are female.
When was Karl most popular?
Karl peaked in 1960 with 2,614 births that year. Current trend: Declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.