Karel
2025 SSA
Below 5 births
About Karel
A name that seems to switch genders when it switches nationalities.
Karel for girls
Karel is a feminine name in English-speaking contexts, though it originated as the Czech and Dutch masculine form of Charles. This cross-cultural name derives from the Germanic element 'karl' meaning 'man' or 'free man.' In Czech culture, Karel has strong associations through the renowned writer Karel Čapek and composer Karel Husa. When used for girls in English-speaking countries, it represents a distinctive alternative to Carol or Caroline. The name has a crisp, modern sound despite its historical roots. Karel's gender-crossing nature gives it a contemporary appeal for parents seeking names that challenge traditional gender norms while still having established historical usage. The name combines simplicity with an intriguing international character.
Pronounced KAR-ul.
As of October 2026, Karel ranked #12966 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #2659 in 1934.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · boys | Births · boys | US rank · girls | Births · girls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2018 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | #4,668 | 22 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
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Karel on lists
Famous Karels
- Karel Jan Nepomuk Josef Norbert Bedřich Antonín Vratislav MenasBoy
Prince of Schwarzberg, Czech politician
- Karel ReiszBoy
Czech,born British filmmaker
- Karel ČapekBoy
Czech novelist
- Karel PoborskýBoy
Czech footballer
- Karel SchoemanBoy
South African novelist