Baby Name Popularity Profile

Karla

Data-driven SSA statistics, rankings, and historical trends for Karla.

✦ Free woman 🌍 German traditional
National Rank (2025) #803
All-Time Peak Rank #175 Achieved 2002
Total U.S. Births 91,586 since 1880
Unisex Distribution 0.1% Boy / 99.9% Girl Female Archetype
First Recorded 1915 Last seen: 2025
Peak Decade 1960s 2,060 births in 1964
💡 The Karla Vibe: Considered a Declining Classic. A previously dominant name currently experiencing a prolonged generational cooling period.

🌍 Meaning & Etymology

Primary Meaning Free woman
Language Origin German
Origin Type single
Feminine form of Karl, derived from the Germanic word 'karl' meaning 'free man'.
Common Nicknames
Karli Kari Kay
Alternative Spellings
Carla
Pronunciation: KAR-lah
Themes & Categories
traditional
Etymology confidence: High

📖 The Story Behind Karla

According to SSA data, Karla achieved its highest historical rank of #175 in 2002. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 1964 with 2,060 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have decreased by 44.9%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 99 consecutive years.

📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)

Registration footprint of Karla across 145 years of SSA data.

5-Year Trajectory Declining
10-Year Shift -44.9% Decline
18801920196020002025

📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility

Busiest Year on Record 2,060 births in 1964
Years in Top 100 0 yrs
Years in Top 500 70 yrs
Registry Streak 99 yrs
Historical Volatility Highly Volatile
Largest 1-Year Jump N/A
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s: 0
1890s: 0
1900s: 0
1910s: 26
1920s: 65
1930s: 536
1940s: 3,102
1950s: 11,462
1960s: 17,716
1970s: 11,367
1980s: 9,360
1990s: 12,873
2000s: 16,145
2010s: 6,555
2020s: 2,379

📐 Sound & Spelling Structure

Phonetic Syllables Ka-rla
Letter Count 5 letters
Spelling Complexity Moderate
Length Percentile Longer than 7.7% of names
Linguistic Profile: Longer than 7.7% of SSA names. Starts with K, a letter used by only 7.8% of SSA names.

🛠️ Sibling & Surname Cadence Tool

Enter a surname or sibling name to test how it pairs with Karla.

📍 Authentic State & Regional Rankings

Highest Ranking State South Dakota
Top States South Dakota, North Dakota, Arizona, California, Iowa
States with Data 51
State 2025 Rank Total Births Peak Year 5-Yr Velocity
South Dakota Unranked 692 1961 Insufficient historical volume
North Dakota Unranked 638 1964 Insufficient historical volume
Arizona #500 2,191 2003 Insufficient historical volume
California #638 17,703 2004 49.5% Decline
Iowa Unranked 2,243 1963 Insufficient historical volume
Texas #565 12,197 2002 20.0% Decline
Nevada Unranked 514 1999 Insufficient historical volume
Kansas Unranked 1,467 1962 Insufficient historical volume
Montana Unranked 402 1959 Insufficient historical volume
New Mexico Unranked 676 1956 Insufficient historical volume
Oregon #679 1,132 1962 Insufficient historical volume
Idaho Unranked 483 1956 Insufficient historical volume
Colorado #518 1,447 2002 Insufficient historical volume
Minnesota Unranked 2,177 1962 Insufficient historical volume
Nebraska Unranked 843 1963 Insufficient historical volume
Washington Unranked 1,788 1959 Insufficient historical volume
Wisconsin Unranked 2,048 1964 Insufficient historical volume
Illinois #1182 4,991 1964 Insufficient historical volume
Oklahoma Unranked 1,328 1963 Insufficient historical volume
Utah Unranked 773 2003 Insufficient historical volume
Indiana #867 2,177 1964 Insufficient historical volume
Florida #562 2,965 2006 Insufficient historical volume
Missouri #1001 1,769 1961 Insufficient historical volume
Wyoming Unranked 100 1958 Insufficient historical volume
Arkansas Unranked 755 1967 Insufficient historical volume
District of Columbia Unranked 312 1963 Insufficient historical volume
Michigan Unranked 2,632 1966 Insufficient historical volume
Ohio #1356 3,141 1964 Insufficient historical volume
Louisiana Unranked 1,155 1964 Insufficient historical volume
Maryland #624 890 2008 Insufficient historical volume
Georgia #632 1,651 2005 Insufficient historical volume
Virginia #986 1,245 2006 Insufficient historical volume
New Jersey #889 1,449 2006 Insufficient historical volume
North Carolina #1357 1,449 2008 Insufficient historical volume
Tennessee #677 1,013 1970 Insufficient historical volume
New York #745 3,639 2002 29.0% Decline
Alabama Unranked 829 1970 Insufficient historical volume
Alaska Unranked 60 1951 Insufficient historical volume
Kentucky Unranked 731 1964 Insufficient historical volume
Massachusetts #819 973 1964 Insufficient historical volume
Connecticut Unranked 418 1968 Insufficient historical volume
West Virginia Unranked 355 1960 Insufficient historical volume
Pennsylvania Unranked 1,977 1963 Insufficient historical volume
Mississippi Unranked 396 1971 Insufficient historical volume
Maine Unranked 130 1953 Insufficient historical volume
South Carolina #850 419 1977 Insufficient historical volume
Vermont Unranked 25 1953 Insufficient historical volume
Hawaii Unranked 35 1964 Insufficient historical volume
New Hampshire Unranked 20 1964 Insufficient historical volume
Delaware Unranked 12 1975 Insufficient historical volume
Rhode Island Unranked 21 1963 Insufficient historical volume

👨‍👩‍👧 Sibling Name Suggestions

👦 Brother Suggestions
Rudy Tony Joey Byron Lenny Barry Monty Rusty Marty Daren
👧 Sister Suggestions
Robin Penny Paula Laura Greta Darla Carla Renee Wendy Robyn

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