The Spiritual, Biblical Meaning of the Name Carlos

The name Carlos is a very historic name that has profound meanings. It has been around for ages and has a historical background. It has been used specifically for a Spanish boy’s name, but it is also popular in the United States. There are many variations of the name Carlos as well. Plus, the meaning of the name has spiritual implications too, based on a few different Bible verses. There are even a few famous people who dawn the name Carlos, and it would make a perfect baby name. Ultimately, the name Carlos comes from Old German and means free man. 

History of Carlos’ Name 

Origin of Carlos’ Name

The name Carlos has one origin, Old Germanic. Many names have multiple origins, and frequently it is difficult to determine where a name came from. Based on my research, Carlos is special, because it came from a single language. 

It can be translated back into Greek and Hebrew, but Carlos only became a name in the time of Old Germany. The main origin of Germany is that it was originally a European name. Most names in the United States either come from Old German, Old English, or Irish. 

Historically, people who spoke Germanic were like every other civilization. They valued honor and gender roles. The Germanic origin of the name Carlos shows that it has been around for a long time, and is rooted deeply in a rich culture. 

Historical Meaning of Carlos’ Name 

The name Carlos came from the Germanic word Cheorl. When we study the word Cheorl, we can conclude the name definition for Carlos. 

Cheorl was the Germanic word meaning “Free Man.” Therefore, Carlos means free man. The specific analysis behind this name is positive. Freedom is a value that was important to the Germanic people. Even today, freedom is viewed as an honorable thing in culture. 

Gender of Carlos 

Based on the name definition, Carlos is a boy’s name. Boy names usually depict strength and independence, which is exactly what the definition of Carlos does. 

Although Carlos could be used for either a boy or a girl, it is more commonly a boy’s name. Specifically in Spanish cultures, Carlos is used specifically as a boy’s name. 

In Spanish, there is a feminine alternative to the name Carlos. Carlina is the feminine version of Carlos in Spanish. 

Spiritual Meaning Behind Carlos

Is Carlos in the Bible?

Unfortunately, the name Carlos cannot be found in both the Old and New Testaments. There is not a single Bible verse that refers to the name Carlos. 

Because the name did not derive until after the New Testament was finished, there are no references to the name within the word of God. 

The Meaning of Carlos’ Name in the Bible

Although the Christian scriptures do not reference the name Carlos, the meaning of the name still has spiritual power. The idea of being a free man is a Christian concept that does appear in scripture. 

The spiritual traditions of Christianity teach that before having a relationship with Jesus we are slaves to sin. Romans 6:20 says, “When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right.” The premise of this verse is that before we were made righteous by Jesus, we were in slavery to sin. 

The Christian religion is clear about sin being an issue of slavery. The Apostle Paul even struggled with his slavery to sin. “For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” Romans 7:15 ESV. He was struggling with his sin nature. 

However, in the Christian religion, we see the supernatural power of God in our spiritual journey. Specifically, that God can set us free from the burden of sin. Galatians 5:1 sats, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” God wanted to set us free, so He did. 

The name Carlos can serve as a reminder of the freedom that accepting Jesus can give us. We don’t have to bear the weight of our sins anymore, but instead, we are set free. Being a free man means that we don’t have to live with the struggle of sin, but we can be made free every single day. 

Popularity of the Name Carlos 

Carlos has been a popular first name in the United States. For the first half of the 19th Century, Carlos was not a popular name, however in recent years the name has become popular. 

As mentioned before, Carlos is a much more popular name in Spanish countries, however in the United States it has become more common. 

In the late 1980s, the name Carlos surpassed 2700/million on the baby name scale. Although that might not seem like many, that was in the top 150 of boys’ names in the United States. When you consider how many names there are, it shows that Carlos has been very popular.

The name continued to gradually increase in popularity until the mid-2000 when it began to decrease. The Social Security Administration shows that Carlos was a popular name for a while, but has become more obscure. 

Many parents prefer to name their children less popular names so that their children won’t share a name with other children their age. Based on the trend, Carlos has become relatively unpopular as a name, however, it still has the historical background to make it a great option. 

Variants of the Name Carlos 

Here are some alternatives to the name Carlos: 

• Carlo
• Karlee
• Karlie
• Karl
• Arlo
• Carlie
• Carlisle
• Karla
• Carl
• Carla
• Carly
• Carlee
• Marcos
• Carlton
• Scarlett
• Scarlet
• Charley
• Cartier
• Dario
• Marlon

If you are interested in other variations for the name Carlos, there are tons of curated lists online of alternatives to the name. 

Famous People with the Name Carlos

There are many people with the name Carlos throughout the world. Some even famous people dawn the name, Carlos. The name Carlos can be found in popular culture, music, and politics. 

• Carlos Juan Carlos I of Spain
•  Roberto Reina 
• Carlos Santana
• Carlos Beltrán
• Carly Colón

Carlos as a Baby Name 

If you are looking for a name for a baby boy, Carlos might be a great option. As stated before, it has a long, rich history. It even has a powerful meaning that is full of strength.

Not only would Carlos be a great first name or last name, but it should also be considered for a middle name as well. The meaning of the name Carlos makes is a great choice for any of these.

Carlos has been around for ages, and it has had moments of clear popularity. It is no longer a name that is too oversaturated, so it should be considered a baby name.