Carl
Peaked at #22 nationally in 1894, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Carl has been recorded <1% of the time for girls and >99% of the time for boys.
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Carl — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#846
in 1888
Last ranked
#12019
in 1994
Years tracked
110
1885–1994
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1885, Carl reached its peak popularity for girls in 1888, ranking #846 nationally with 10 babies given the name that year.
Carl hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for girls since 1994, when it stood at #12019.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | #12,019 | 6 |
| 1993 | #10,786 | 7 |
| 1992 | #7,596 | 11 |
| 1991 | #9,462 | 8 |
| 1990 | #11,626 | 6 |
| 1989 | #5,584 | 15 |
| 1988 | #3,236 | 30 |
| 1987 | #3,115 | 30 |
Carl — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#22
in 1894
Current rank
#1033
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Carl reached its peak popularity for boys in 1894, ranking #22 nationally with 861 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #613 (2014) to #1033 (2024) — a 41% drop.
As of 2024, Carl ranks #1033 nationally for boys, with 215 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #1,033 | 215 |
| 2023 | #963 | 233 |
| 2022 | #1,012 | 220 |
| 2021 | #924 | 245 |
| 2020 | #812 | 286 |
| 2019 | #748 | 319 |
| 2018 | #709 | 343 |
| 2017 | #628 | 415 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Carl most popular?
Carl was most popular in 1894, when it ranked #22 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Carl becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Carl?
At least 507,825 babies have been recorded with the name Carl in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Carl? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.