UK boy's name
Karlson
A masculine Scandinavian name derived from the Old Norse "karl" meaning "man" or "freeman".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2018. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Karlson is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Karlson popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4749, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2018, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2018 to 2018. 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.
Karlson is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Karlson. 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 2019 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Karlson ranked #4749 for boys in England and Wales in 2018, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2018, when 3 boys were registered as Karlson.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Karlson as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4749
2018
Births in 2018
3
Latest year
Peak year
2018
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Karlson mean?
The given name Karlson derives from the Germanic name Karl, which means "free man" or "peasant". The name originated in the Middle Ages and gained popularity across various regions of Europe.
The name Karl has its roots in the Old Norse word "karl", which later evolved into the Old English "ceorl" and the Old High German "karl". These words originally referred to men of humble birth or lower social status, in contrast to the nobility or aristocracy.
One of the earliest and most notable historical figures bearing the name Karl was Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great (742-814 CE). He was the King of the Franks and the first ruler of the Holy Roman Empire. Charlemagne's reign marked a significant period in European history, known as the Carolingian Renaissance, which saw a revival of art, religion, and culture.
Another prominent figure was Charles V (1500-1558), the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, who ruled over vast territories across Europe and the New World. His reign witnessed the spread of the Protestant Reformation and the height of the Spanish Empire's power and influence.
In the realm of literature, the Swedish author Astrid Lindgren (1907-2002) created the beloved children's book character Karlson, a mischievous and adventurous little man who lived on the roof. This character has become a cultural icon in Sweden and has been adapted into various media, including films and television series.
The name Karlson also has ties to the world of music. One notable bearer was the Swedish composer and conductor Karlheinz Stockhausen (1928-2007), who was a pioneer in electronic music and is considered one of the most influential composers of the 20th century.
In the field of science, the Swedish chemist and inventor Carl Wilhelm Scheele (1742-1786) made significant contributions to the early development of chemistry. He is credited with the discovery of several chemical elements, including oxygen, chlorine, and barium.
These are just a few examples of historical figures who bore the name Karlson or its variations. The name has endured through the centuries, carrying with it a rich cultural heritage and associations with various fields of human endeavor.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Karlson by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Karlson 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 | #4749 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Karlson
- Kieran 30,429
- Kyle 28,463
- Kai 24,432
- Kian 17,666
- Kayden 8,305
- Kevin 7,927
- Kane 7,149
- Kaiden 5,762
- Kieron 4,547
- Kacper 4,366
- Kye 4,012
- Kit 3,529
FAQ
Karlson: questions and answers
How popular is the name Karlson in the UK right now?
In 2018, Karlson was ranked #4749 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Karlson most popular?
The peak year on record was 2018, with 3 babies registered as Karlson in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Karlson?
A masculine Scandinavian name derived from the Old Norse "karl" meaning "man" or "freeman".
How many people are called Karlson in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Karlson across the 1 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.