Sarel

An Afrikaans variation of Charles, likely adapted other forms such as Carel and Charl, Sarel is also used occasionally among Dutch speakers. A historic bearer is Sarel Cilliers, a 19th-century preacher and leader, who led the Boers to victory at the Battle of Blood River in 1838. A noteworthy(and spiritual) figure in South Africa, he likely helped to popularize this variation as there are schools, museums, streets, and roads named after him.

Other bearers include kickboxer Sarel de Jong, cricketer Sarel Erwee, and rugby players Sarel Petrus Marais Sarel Pretorius.

Pronounced SAH-rel.