Carla

Carla is the feminine form of Carlo, itself the Italian and Spanish equivalent of Charles, which derives from the Germanic element karl, meaning man or free man. The name spread widely across Romance-speaking countries and into English and German use, carried in part by the broad cultural reach of the Carolingian dynasty and the enduring popularity of its masculine counterpart. It gained particular momentum as a given name for women in the twentieth century across Europe and the Americas. Related forms include Karla, Carly, Carolina, and Charlotte.