Carlos
Carlos first appears in US records in 1880. It peaked in 2001, when 6,842 boys were given the name; in 2025 there were 2,418.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Carlos popular?
Declining Carlos is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 2001 peak.
| 2020s | 15,181 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 35,301 | |
| 2000s | 63,199 | |
| 1990s | 55,185 | |
| 1980s | 41,506 | |
| 1970s | 36,949 | |
| 1960s | 22,396 | |
| 1950s | 15,821 | |
| 1940s | 8,100 | |
| 1930s | 5,553 | |
| 1920s | 4,785 | |
| 1910s | 2,110 | |
| 1900s | 489 | |
| 1890s | 252 | |
| 1880s | 209 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Carlos mean?
Carlos is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Charles, from the Germanic for “free man.” It has been borne by kings of Spain.
Nicknames for Carlos
- Los
- Litos
Variants & spellings
- Karlos
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
Is Carlos a boy or a girl name?
Carlos is most commonly used as a boy name.
Is Carlos a popular name right now?
Carlos is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 2001 peak.
How popular is the name Carlos?
In 2025, Carlos ranked #150 among boys’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Carlos most popular?
Carlos was most popular in 2001, when about 6,842 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What are common nicknames for Carlos?
Common nicknames for Carlos include Los, Litos.