Karlo

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAR-loh /ˈkɑr.loʊ/High

Meaning: Croatian, Slovenian, and Filipino form of Charles — Germanic karl, 'free man'High

In 30 seconds: Charles with a Zagreb-to-Manila itinerary: Karlo is the K-spelled Carlo of Croatia and the Philippines — 'free man' from the same root that crowned Charlemagne.

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Origin HighCroatian, Germanic, Filipino

MeaningCroatian, Slovenian, and Filipino form of Charles — Germanic karl, 'free man'

U.S. rank (2025)#3703 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births30 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2010

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,061

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Karlo is the Croatian, Slovenian, and Filipino form of Charles — Germanic karl, 'free man', the name Charlemagne made imperial (so imperial that Slavic languages derive their very word for 'king' from it). Croatian footballers and Filipino actors keep the K-form current.

In the U.S. it is rare, arriving with Croatian and Filipino families — Carlo with a stronger handshake.

Did you know? The word 'king' in most Slavic languages — kralj, król, král — literally derives from Charlemagne's name Karl: one man's name became an entire region's word for monarch.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name — Karlo — form background

Variations

CarloKarlCarlos

Nicknames

KarlKaki

Famous Bearers

★Karlo Letica (1997-)
Croatian football goalkeeper named Swiss Super League Goalkeeper of the Year
★Karlo Štajner (1902-1992)
Austrian-Yugoslav communist and author of the Gulag memoir '7000 Days in Siberia'

If you like Karlo…

Carlo— the Italian C-twin of the same name

Karl— the bare Germanic original

Marko— a fellow Croatian K-classic

Carlos— the Spanish brother form

Explore names like Karlo

By themeclassic filipino croatian

By meaningFreedom

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Karlo mean?

Karlo is the Croatian and Filipino form of Charles, from Germanic karl, 'free man'.

How do you pronounce Karlo?

It's said KAR-loh /ˈkɑr.loʊ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Karlo a boy or girl name?

Karlo is a boy's name.

How popular is Karlo?

Karlo is a rare name in the U.S.