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NamyLab

Karla

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Free Woman"

A feminine form related to Karl and Charles, typically interpreted from Germanic roots meaning free or man.

Themes:germanicfemininecharlesfree

Fact-checked by Marcus Chen

B.A. Anthropology, UC BerkeleyMultilingual (4 languages)Cultural Research Fellow • Senior Name Researcher

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

Popularity History of Karla

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#730Top 1000

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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
#730

Karla was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-19

lower 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

Karla Nicknames

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

12 ideas
Kar
Nickname
Kari
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kary
Nickname
karl
Nickname
ka
Nickname
ky
Nickname
ko
Nickname
karlay
Nickname
arla
Nickname
rlay
Nickname
kie
Nickname
kkie
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Karla

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

13 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Karla mean?
Karla means "Free Woman". A feminine form related to Karl and Charles, typically interpreted from Germanic roots meaning free or man.
What is the origin of Karla?
Karla is of Germanic origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Karla?
According to the latest SSA data, Karla is currently ranked #730 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 Karla a girl name?
Karla is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Karla?
Popular nicknames for Karla include Kar, Kari, kary, karl, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Karla?
There are many names similar to Karla in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginGermanic, English
Syllables2
Length5 letters
US Rank#730
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withK

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Karla

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

Karla appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Traditional English Names and Names That Mean Miracle And Blessing for Boys and Girls for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Travel And Adventure for Boys and Girls and German Baby Names.

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