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- Karline
Karline
Fact sheet
- Name
- Karline
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 3
The first name Karline is the feminine form of Karl and means 'the free one'. It represents an evolution of the name Karla, which is derived from the Old High German origin.
What does the name Karline mean?
Karline carries the meaning 'the free one'. The name is a variation of Karla, the feminine counterpart of the Old High German name Karl. Similar variants include Carlina, Carline, and Karlina. Other common girl names that are also derived from Karl include Charlene, Charlotte, Carlotta, Karlotta, as well as Lotta, Carolin, Carolina, and Karolina.
Where does the name Karline come from?
The origin of the name Karline traces back to the Old High German name Karl, which is likely connected to the Proto-Germanic term karaz (man) and its diminutive form karlaz (young, little man), evolving into karal (man, husband, beloved). In Middle Low German, this developed into the word 'Kerl', which in the Middle Ages referred to a 'free citizen' or 'free man', which is why names derived from Karl are often translated as 'the free one'. Old High German.
How do you pronounce Karline?
The sound and pronunciation of Karline are calm and slightly elongated, with a clear structure. The name is typically pronounced as 'Kar-li-ne' [kaʁˈliːnə], starting with a strong, dark onset. The middle syllable brings a subtle brightness, while the gentle ending rounds off the sound harmoniously. This gives Karline a stable and calm presence – balanced, clear, and with a discreet, down-to-earth quality.
Popularity
In Germany, Karline is a rather rare first name. The name currently ranks 5,884th on the list of the most common female baby names. Its best placement was in 2007 at rank 1,198. In the last ten years, Karline has been given as a first name about 90 times, placing it 2,596th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 2,881st. In international popularity, Karline appears in the name charts of various countries.
Nicknames & pet names
Kali / Karli
Similar first names
Famous people
- Karlīne tāla (Latvian racing driver)
- Karline Nimane (Lithuanian basketball player)
- Karline Stala (Lithuanian racing driver)
Frequently asked questions about the name Karline
What does the name Karline mean?
Karline means 'the free one' and is a variation of the name Karla, the feminine form of Karl.
Where does the name Karline come from?
The name Karline has its roots in the Old High German name Karl, which is connected to the Proto-Germanic term for 'man'.
How popular is the name Karline?
Karline is a rare but still appealing name that appears in various forms in several countries.