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NamyLab

Karel

male
Updated 6 months ago

Meaning

"Free Man"

A Slavic and Dutch form of Charles, it derives from a Germanic root commonly glossed as free man.

Themes:charlesslavicheritage
UniqueRare

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

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

Popularity History of Karel

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#9392Ranked nationally
SSA did not record this spelling in the national rankings for the available chart years. Names used fewer than 5 times in a year are omitted from the dataset.

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
Unranked

Karel did not appear in the national SSA rankings for 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
--

no national rank in 2024

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

Karel Nicknames

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

8 ideas
kare
Nickname
kary
Nickname
ka
Nickname
kie
Nickname
ky
Nickname
ko
Nickname
rely
Nickname
arel
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Karel

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

12 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Karel mean?
Karel means "Free Man". A Slavic and Dutch form of Charles, it derives from a Germanic root commonly glossed as free man.
What is the origin of Karel?
Karel is of Slavic origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Karel?
According to the latest SSA data, Karel is currently ranked #9392 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 Karel a boy name?
Karel 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 Karel?
Popular nicknames for Karel include kare, kary, ka, kie, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Karel?
There are many names similar to Karel in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginSlavic, Germanic
Syllables2
Length5 letters
US Rank#9392
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withK

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Karel

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

Karel appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Unique Baby Names and Names That Mean Child Of God for Boys and Girls for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Miracle And Blessing for Boys and Girls and Names That Mean Travel And Adventure for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Karel pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Karel 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.