Carlous is of Latin origin, derived from the word 'carolus', which means 'strong' or 'freeholder'. It was initially used as a nickname for someone who was powerful or owned land freely. Over time, Carlous has evolved into an independent given name in its own right, often used alongside more traditional names like Carl or Charles. Despite its roots in Latin, the name Carlous is also associated with Scandinavian cultures, where it is sometimes used as a variation of Carl. It is relatively uncommon compared to other names derived from 'carolus', such as Charles and Carol, but it possesses a unique charm that sets it apart. The name Carlous has no specific diminutives or shortened forms, making it stand alone in its uniqueness.
The name Carlous experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the century. It had a slow start with only one birth recorded between 1920 and 1946, followed by a peak in the late 1940s to early 1970s with the highest number of births occurring in 1972 and 1973 (18 births each year). However, it declined thereafter, with fewer than ten births recorded per year after 1980. Since the 1990s, Carlous has been quite uncommon, with five or fewer births per year on average, suggesting a decline in its popularity as a baby name.