N
NamyLab

Carlos

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Free Man"

Carlos is the Spanish form of a Germanic royal name linked to the idea of a free or independent man.

Themes:spanishgermanicfreedomclassic
ClassicTraditionalTimeless

Fact-checked by Dr. Elena Vasquez

Ph.D. Medieval History, StanfordPublished Academic ResearcherHistory Professor (Adjunct) • Historical Names Consultant

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Carlos

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#135Top 500

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#135

Carlos was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
+4

better than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Carlos Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Carlos.

11 ideas
Carl
Nickname
Los
Nickname
carl
Nickname
cary
Nickname
cy
Nickname
co
Nickname
cie
Nickname
losy
Nickname
ca
Nickname
rlos
Nickname
rloy
Nickname

Similar Names to Carlos

male

Anthony

AN-thuh-nee

“Priceless; Invaluable”

#44
|Latin
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Andrew

AN-droo

“Manly; Strong”

#68
|Greek
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Alexander

al-ig-ZAN-der

“Defender of Men”

#27
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Arthur

AR-ther

“Bear Man”

#105
|Celtic
male

Albert

AL-bert

“Noble Bright”

#606
|Germanic
male

Austin

AW-stun

“Great, Venerable”

#107
|Latin
male

Alex

“Defender”

#205
|Greek
male

Adrian

AY-dree-un

“From Hadria”

#72
|Latin
male

Angel

“Messenger”

#63
|Greek
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Antonio

“Priceless Inestimable”

#180
|Latin

Baby Name Lists That Include Carlos

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Carlos, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

19 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Carlos mean?
Carlos means "Free Man". Carlos is the Spanish form of a Germanic royal name linked to the idea of a free or independent man.
What is the origin of Carlos?
Carlos is of Spanish origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Carlos?
According to the latest SSA data, Carlos is currently ranked #135 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Carlos a boy name?
Carlos is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Carlos?
Popular nicknames for Carlos include Carl, Los, carl, cary, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Carlos?
There are many names similar to Carlos in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginSpanish, Germanic
Syllables2
Length6 letters
US Rank#135
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withC

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Carlos

Carlos has Spanish roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Spanish baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Carlos appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Timeless Classic Baby Names and Spanish Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean The Sun for Boys and Girls and Names That Mean Child Of God for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Carlos pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Carlos beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.