Carlos is a popular given name of Spanish origin, derived from the ancient Basque surname Karoli. It translates to 'freeholder' or 'strong'. In the Spanish language, Carlos is pronounced as Kah-ohh-rohs. This name gained significant popularity through royal and historical figures such as Emperor Charles V and King Carlos I of Spain. It has also been used in various works of literature and art, contributing to its widespread recognition and appeal. The name Carlos peaked in popularity during the 1970s but remains a beloved choice today, particularly among Spanish-speaking communities worldwide.
The name Carlos experienced a significant increase in popularity from the late 1940s to the mid-1970s, with peaks of over 50 births per year between 1968 and 1975. The highest recorded number of births was 51 in both 1975 and 1977. However, there has been a steady decline since the late 1970s, with fewer than 20 births per year from 1994 onwards. Recent years have shown some fluctuations, with as few as 5 births recorded in 2011, 2022, and 2023. Overall, there were a total of 2040 births named Carlos from 1913 to 2023.