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Carlos

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAR-lohs /ˈkɑːr.loʊs/High

Meaning: Free man; strong man — Spanish form of Charles, from Old High German <em>karl</em> (man, free man)High

In 30 seconds: The stately Spanish form of Charles, rooted in the Old High German for 'free man.' Borne by Holy Roman Emperors, Spanish kings, and beloved across Latin America, Carlos has long been a top-100 staple in the U.S.
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Origin HighSpanish, Germanic
MeaningFree man; strong man — Spanish form of Charles, from Old High German <em>karl</em> (man, free man)
Peak year2001
Total births (all-time)≈ 285,969

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200118802017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Carlos is the Spanish form of Charles, itself from the Old High German Karl (man, free man) — the same root as the Latin Carolus. The name was spread by Charlemagne (Carolus Magnus) across medieval Europe. In Spain and Latin America, Carlos became one of the most prestigious royal names, borne by multiple kings.

Carlos has been a perennial top-100 boys' name in the United States, strongly rooted in Hispanic naming traditions. It is versatile across cultures and generations, and carries an air of classic confidence. Famous bearers include Carlos Santana, the legendary guitarist.

Did you know? Carlos V of Spain (1500–1558) was simultaneously Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, ruling the largest empire in the world at that time — and his name Carlos/Charles set a royal naming precedent across Europe.

Variations

CharlesKarlCarlo

Nicknames

CarlCarlitoCali

Famous Bearers

  • ★Carlos Santana (b. 1947)
    Mexican-American rock guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.

If you like Carlos…

Miguel— another enduring Spanish classic at the top of U.S. Hispanic naming charts
Luis— equally versatile Spanish royal name with the same solid popularity
Antonio— strong Spanish/Italian name sharing Carlos's historical prestige
Alejandro— romantic Spanish classic beloved for its grand, rolling sound

Frequently Asked

What does the name Carlos mean?

Carlos is the Spanish form of Charles, from the Old High German <em>karl</em> meaning 'man' or 'free man.'

How do you pronounce Carlos?

Carlos is pronounced KAR-lohs /ˈkɑːr.loʊs/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Carlos a boy or girl name?

Carlos is a masculine name. Its feminine form is Carla or Carolina.

How popular is Carlos?

Carlos has been in the U.S. top 100 boys' names for decades, consistently popular in Hispanic communities.