Carlos is a Spanish masculine given name derived from the Iberian-Celtic word "caros" which means "strong", "powerful" or "victorious". The name was borne by several notable figures in history, including the legendary Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus, who was born as Cristoforo Colombo but was later known as Cristóbal Colón in Spain and Carlos Colón in Latin America.
The name Carlos became particularly popular during the reign of the Habsburg dynasty in Spain, with several kings named Carlos. One of the most famous bearers of this name was Carlos I (also known as Charles V), who ruled over the Spanish Empire from 1516 to 1556 and is considered one of the most powerful monarchs in European history.
Over time, Carlos has become a widely used given name throughout Spain and Latin America. It remains a popular choice for parents today, with numerous notable figures bearing this name across various fields such as politics, arts, sports, and entertainment.
In terms of its meaning and association, the name Carlos carries connotations of strength, power, and triumph. It has been associated with prominent historical figures who embody these qualities, making it a powerful and distinguished choice for a given name.
The name Carlos has been popular among parents in the United States for over a century, with its usage fluctuating over time. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of births with the name Carlos ranged from as low as 17 to as high as 36 per year. However, it was not until the mid-20th century that the popularity of the name began to rise significantly.
Between 1946 and 1953, there were over 1,000 births with the name Carlos each year. This trend continued throughout the 1950s and 1960s, with the number of births reaching an all-time high of 3,870 in 1974. Despite a slight dip in popularity during the late 1970s and early 1980s, Carlos remained a popular choice among parents throughout the remainder of the 20th century.
The name Carlos reached its peak popularity in the United States in the 1990s, with over 6,000 births each year between 1990 and 1999. However, since then, its usage has declined significantly. In recent years, there have been fewer than 3,000 births with the name Carlos per year.
Despite this decline in popularity, Carlos remains a classic and timeless name choice for parents looking to honor their Hispanic heritage or simply choose a strong and distinctive name for their child. Overall, there have been over 300,000 births with the name Carlos in the United States since records began being kept in 1880.