Neil vs Carl

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Carl

Boy #1,035 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"free man"

Origin: Old High German 'karl'

Cultural Roots

English American German Scandinavian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,035
Total SSA Count
215
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Carl →

Popularity Comparison

Neil Rank #866
Carl Rank #1,035

Neil is more popular, ranked #866 vs #1035 for Carl.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Neil or Carl more popular?

Neil is more popular, ranked #866 compared to Carl at #1035 in the United States.

What do Neil and Carl mean?

Neil means "cloud" (Old Irish origin). Carl means "free man" (Old High German 'karl' origin).

Are Neil and Carl boy or girl names?

Neil is primarily a boy name. Carl is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Neil ← Full profile: Carl Browse all baby names