Karel

Karel is the Dutch and Czech variant of the name Karl and carries the meaning 'the (husband)'. Its origin lies in the Old High German word 'karal', which means 'man, husband, beloved'. Furthermore, Karel can also be interpreted as 'the free one'. This meaning derives from the Low German word 'Kerle', which in the Middle Ages referred to citizens who did not belong to the knightly class and were thus free.

What does the name Karel mean?

Karel is a form of Karl that is prevalent in the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. The name means 'the (husband)' and has its roots in the Old High German 'karal', which means 'man, husband, beloved'. Additionally, it is also associated with 'the free one', which traces back to the Low German word 'Kerle'. In this context, it referred to citizens who did not belong to the knightly class and were thus considered free. However, Karel is rather seldom encountered in Germany.

Where does the name Karel come from?

The name Karel has its roots in Old High German and means something like 'the husband' or 'the free one'. The

How do you pronounce Karel?

The name Karel is two syllables and has a balanced sound. It is pronounced as 'Ka-rel' [ˈkaːʁɛl]. The long A sound opens the tone, while the rolling R in the second syllable adds depth. The soft L at the end rounds off the name and gives it a traditional and calm note.

Popularity

In Germany, the name Karel enjoys a certain popularity, currently ranking 2,308th in the list of the most common male first names. Its best placement was in 2019, when it reached 1,792nd place. Over the last ten years, Karel has been chosen as a first name about 90 times, placing it 2,623rd in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 2,836th.

Nicknames & pet names

Charly / Kalle / Karja / Karjo / Kral

Similar first names

Famous people

• Karel Abraham (Czech motorcycle racer)
• Karel Boleslav Jirak (Czech composer)
• Karel Burian (Czech singer)
• Karel Burkert (Hungarian footballer)
• Karel Cerny (Czech footballer)
• Karel de Rooij (musician from the Netherlands)
• Karel Eichler (writer from the Czech Republic)
• Karel Fiala (Czech actor)
• Karel Geraerts (Belgian footballer)
• Karel Gott (singer)
• Karel Hrubes (football player from the Czech Republic)
• Karel Hynek Macha (poet from the Czech Republic)
• Karel Janoušek (Czechoslovak soldier)
• Karel Koldovsky (Czech ski jumper)
• Karel Konrad (writer from the Czech Republic)
• Karel Marquez (Filipino actor)
• Karel Misek (American designer)
• Karel Novy (writer from the Czech Republic)
• Karel Paukert (American musician)
• Karel Polacek (Czech writer)