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Home › Baby Names Directory › Carlito

Carlito

♂ Boy

Pronounced kar-LEE-toh /kɑrˈli.toʊ/Medium

Meaning: Spanish diminutive of Carlos — from Germanic karl, 'a free man' — 'little Carlos; little free man'Medium

In 30 seconds: Little free man: Carlito is the Spanish diminutive of Carlos — 'little free man'. Warm, friendly, and lively (Carlito's Way).
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Origin MediumGerman, Spanish
MeaningSpanish diminutive of Carlos — from Germanic karl, 'a free man' — 'little Carlos; little free man'
U.S. rank (2025)#4731 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births21 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2006
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,352

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200619642025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Carlito is a Spanish diminutive of Carlos — from Germanic karl, 'a free man' — 'little Carlos; little free man'. A warm, friendly, lively name across the Spanish-speaking world (the film Carlito's Way); the -ito ending makes it affectionate (said 'kar-LEE-toh').

In the U.S. it appears in Latino families. Rare, little-free-man at the root, and lively.

Did you know? Carlos is the Spanish Charles, 'a free man' (Germanic karl) — Carlito is its lively diminutive, 'little Carlos'; warm and friendly (Carlito's Way; said 'kar-LEE-toh').
Overall data confidence 72%
References — Carlos — diminutive

Variations

CarlitosCarlosCarlo

Nicknames

Carlos

Famous Bearers

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If you like Carlito…

Carlos— the root name
Carlo— the Italian form
Juanito— another Spanish -ito diminutive
Calixto— shares Carlito's Spanish roots
Cruzito— shares the -to ending

Explore names like Carlito

By themespanishnickname-namegerman
By meaningFreedom

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Carlito mean?

Carlito is the Spanish diminutive of Carlos — 'little Carlos; little free man'.

How do you pronounce Carlito?

It's said kar-LEE-toh /kɑrˈli.toʊ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Carlito a boy or girl name?

Carlito is a boy's name.

How popular is Carlito?

Carlito is a rare name in the U.S.

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