Karl vs William

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Karl

Boy #1,684 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"free man, strong man"

Origin: Old High German

Cultural Roots

German Scandinavian Austrian Swedish Norwegian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,684
Total SSA Count
99
Syllables
1
Formality
Formal

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Karl →

Popularity Comparison

Karl Rank #1,684
William Rank #10

William is more popular, ranked #10 vs #1684 for Karl.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Karl ___

  • Karl Friedrich
  • Karl Heinrich
  • Karl Magnus
  • Karl Erik
  • Karl Gunnar
  • Karl Lars

William ___

  • William James
  • William Thomas
  • William Henry
  • William Alexander
  • William Edward
  • William Charles

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Karl

Hans Brigitte Ingrid Heinz Erika

If you choose William

Charlotte Eleanor Amelia Olivia Henry

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Karl or William more popular?

William is more popular, ranked #10 compared to Karl at #1684 in the United States.

What do Karl and William mean?

Karl means "free man, strong man" (Old High German origin). William means "resolute protector, strong-willed guardian" (Germanic origin).

Are Karl and William boy or girl names?

Karl is primarily a boy name. William is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Karl ← Full profile: William Browse all baby names