Carl

Carl is a Germanic given name derived from the Old High German element karl, meaning man or free man, and is the German and Scandinavian form of Charles. The name gained widespread prestige through the Frankish emperor Charlemagne, whose Latin name Carolus Magnus means Charles the Great, and it continued to be borne by numerous European monarchs and nobles. The Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus and the German philosopher Carl Marx are among its many distinguished historical bearers. Related forms include Charles, Karl, Carlo, and Karel.