How Many People Are Named Karla?
Complete statistics for the name Karla: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Karla is a feminine form of Karl, rooted in the Old German meaning of 'free woman' or 'strong woman', and it's a name that sits quietly in that rare-but-recognizable sweet spot. About 84,663 people named Karla are living in the US today, making it 1 in 3,898 Americans. Its peak back in 1964 gives it a warm, mid-century feel without feeling dated.
📖 Meaning & Origin
The number 7 is traditionally linked to deep thinking, inner wisdom, and a search for truth. People connected to 7 are often seen as introspective and spiritually curious, drawn to understanding the world beneath its surface.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 44All 91,550 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: 1964Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Karla Through the Generations
Karla had its big moment in 1964, when 2,066 babies were given the name in a single year. That's a sharp contrast to where things stand now, since the trend has been steadily declining since that peak. With 91,550 all-time US births and roughly 84,663 estimated living today, the gap between those two numbers is relatively small, suggesting most Karlas born across the decades are still very much around. What makes this name interesting is how evenly its people are spread across age groups: 32% are under 30, 39% are in the 30 to 60 range, and 29% are over 60. That's an unusually balanced spread for a declining name, meaning it never fully disappeared from use across generations. The average age of 44 fits that middle-heavy distribution nicely. Karla isn't a name confined to one era, it just happens to be quieter now than it once was.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Karla's Old German roots
📄 About the Name Karla
How Many People Have the Name Karla?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 172 people in the United States currently share the name Karla. That works out to roughly 1 in every 1,927,031 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Karla a Common or Rare Name?
Karla is classified as Very 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 Karla Mean?
Karla means "free woman, strong woman" and comes from Old German origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 7.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Karla in SSA data, approximately 0% are male and 100% are female.
When Was Karla Most Popular?
The name Karla reached peak popularity in 1964, with 2,066 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 Karla?
Approximately 172 people named Karla live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 172. That works out to roughly 1 in 1,927,031 Americans.
Is Karla a rare name?
Karla is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 1,927,031 Americans has this name.
What does the name Karla mean?
Karla means "free woman, strong woman" and comes from Old German origins.
Is Karla more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 0% of people named Karla are male and 100% are female.
When was Karla most popular?
Karla peaked in 1964 with 2,066 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.