UK girl's name
Karlee
A feminine name of English origin meaning "free woman".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Karlee is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Karlee popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5765, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 5 births.
This profile covers 25 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 1996 to 2017. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 25 living people in the UK are called Karlee. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2018 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Karlee ranked #5765 for girls in England and Wales in 2017, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2014, when 5 girls were registered as Karlee.
- • About 25 living people in the UK are estimated to have Karlee as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5765
2017
Births in 2017
3
Latest year
Peak year
2014
5 births
Estimated living
25
2026
Meaning
What does Karlee mean?
The name Karlee is a modern feminine name that has its roots in the Germanic and Scandinavian languages. It is believed to have originated as a variation of the Old Norse name Karlina, which itself is derived from the Germanic word "karl" meaning "man" or "free man."
The earliest recorded use of the name Karlee dates back to the late 19th century, with records showing a few instances of the name being used in parts of Europe and North America. However, it did not gain widespread popularity until the mid-20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.
One of the earliest notable individuals bearing the name Karlee was Karlee Wilson Baker, an American poet and writer born in 1892 in Arkansas. She was known for her works that celebrated the beauty of the American Southwest and her contributions to the literary scene of her time.
Another historical figure with the name Karlee was Karlee Provance, a Canadian athlete who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. She participated in track and field events, showcasing her talent on the international stage.
In the world of arts and entertainment, Karlee Perez was a notable figure. Born in 1990, she is an American actress and singer-songwriter known for her roles in various television shows and films.
Moving to the field of science, Karlee Stucker-Wolfe was a pioneering American biochemist and geneticist. Born in 1965, she made significant contributions to the study of DNA and genetic disorders, earning widespread recognition for her groundbreaking research.
Lastly, Karlee Gonzalez was a prominent political activist and human rights advocate from Mexico. Born in 1978, she dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of marginalized communities and advocating for social justice, leaving a lasting impact on the global human rights movement.
While the name Karlee has gained popularity in recent decades, its origins can be traced back to ancient Germanic and Scandinavian roots, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and linguistic diversity that have shaped modern naming traditions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Karlee over time
The chart below shows babies named Karlee registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Karlee, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2017, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Karlee by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Karlee was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4836 | 12 | 3 |
| 2000s | #4218 | 7 | 2 |
| 1990s | #3810 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Karlee
- Katie 53,185
- Keira 14,411
- Katherine 11,323
- Kayleigh 10,677
- Kate 10,276
- Kelsey 7,224
- Kiera 7,218
- Kayla 6,541
- Kirsty 6,384
- Khadija 5,948
- Kimberley 5,189
- Kaitlyn 5,137
FAQ
Karlee: questions and answers
How popular is the name Karlee in the UK right now?
In 2017, Karlee was ranked #5765 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Karlee most popular?
The peak year on record was 2014, with 5 babies registered as Karlee in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Karlee?
A feminine name of English origin meaning "free woman".
How many people are called Karlee in the UK?
A total of 25 babies have been registered as Karlee across the 7 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.