Tarl

♂ Boy

Pronounced TARL /ˈtɑrl/Low

Meaning: Tarl is a very rare boy's name best read as a variant of Carl (from Germanic karl, 'free man'), or as a clipped Scandinavian form. It also gained a small cult through the fictional hero Tarl Cabot; as a real given name its route is uncertain and no single old meaning is secure.Low

In 30 seconds: Tarl is a rare short name, likely a variant of Carl, 'free man.' Its route is uncertain, and it peaked around 1978 (said TARL).

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Origin LowEnglish, American

MeaningTarl is a very rare boy's name best read as a variant of Carl (from Germanic karl, 'free man'), or as a clipped Scandinavian form. It also gained a small cult through the fictional hero Tarl Cabot; as a real given name its route is uncertain and no single old meaning is secure.

U.S. rank (1992)#8334 ↘ Falling

1992 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1978

Total births (all-time)≈ 166

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

Tarl is a genuinely rare, single-syllable boy's name. It most likely began as a variant of Carl, from the Germanic karl, 'free man,' or as a clipped Scandinavian form. A fictional hero of the same name gave it a small following in the nineteen-seventies. Its exact route is uncertain, which we flag rather than overstate.

It was always rare, given to only about sixteen boys a year at its peak around 1978, and never caught on more broadly. A boy named Tarl then is in his forties today.

Did you know? Tarl matched a small following of readers who knew it as the hero Tarl Cabot in a series of adventure novels, which likely nudged a handful of parents toward the otherwise very rare name.

Overall data confidence 25%

References - Tarl — Likely variant of Carl (Germanic karl, 'free man'); fictional-hero echo; route uncertain

Variations

CarlTarllTarrl

Nicknames

TarTy

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Tarl…

Carl— the classic name Tarl likely varies

Darl— a similar short vintage name

Karl— a like Germanic 'free man' name

Thurl— a fellow English choice

Derl— another short pick

Explore names like Tarl

By themeuncertain rare short variant

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Tarl mean?

It is most likely a variant of Carl, 'free man,' or a clipped Scandinavian form; the route is uncertain.

How do you pronounce Tarl?

It is said TARL /ˈtɑrl/, one syllable.

Is Tarl a boy or girl name?

Tarl is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Tarl?

It has always been rare, given to only about sixteen boys a year at its peak in the late nineteen-seventies.