boys' name · peaked 2001

Carlos

Every Carlos since 1880 — 309,076 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
123418801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#150
among boys
Babies in 2025
2,418
named Carlos
Peak year
2001
6,864 babies
All-time total
309,076
since 1880

The story of Carlos

Carlos is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #150 in 2025 with 2,418 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 309,076 American babies have been named Carlos. Its peak came in 2001, when 6,864 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Carlos stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Carlos year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 2,418 #150
2024 2,626 #135
2023 5 #15,648 2,557 #139
2022 5 #15,768 2,594 #147
2021 2,506 #151
2020 2,480 #149
2019 2,846 #134
2018 10 #9,967 2,864 #138
2017 3,075 #134
2016 3,204 #129
2015 3,421 #118
2014 3,424 #118
2013 3,684 #106
2012 7 #13,773 4,010 #95
2011 5 #17,285 4,182 #91
2010 9 #11,443 4,591 #89
2009 5,379 #79
2008 6 #15,775 6,054 #73
2007 6 #15,860 6,420 #70
2006 13 #8,822 6,549 #70
2005 14 #7,977 6,563 #70
2004 16 #7,144 6,260 #71
2003 16 #6,947 6,218 #66
2002 20 #5,711 6,592 #65
2001 22 #5,222 6,842 #59
2000 17 #6,261 6,322 #66
1995 21 #4,699 5,545 #68
1990 44 #2,650 5,213 #75
1985 30 #3,020 4,089 #74
1980 48 #2,132 4,084 #78
1975 51 #1,810 3,793 #73
1970 28 #2,587 3,380 #98
1965 29 #2,211 2,131 #144
1960 29 #2,156 1,993 #167
1955 19 #2,557 1,703 #166
1950 15 #2,675 1,189 #188
1945 17 #2,076 719 #200
1940 10 #2,761 659 #201
1935 6 #3,813 559 #214
1930 11 #2,710 578 #222
1925 6 #4,513 471 #261
1920 10 #3,139 421 #267
1915 273 #309
1910 82 #271
1905 58 #260
1900 37 #360
1895 20 #440
1890 17 #439
1885 28 #318
1880 17 #428

Famous people named Carlos

  1. Carlos Slim Businessperson · b. 1940
  2. Carlos Castaneda Writer · 1925–1998
  3. Carlos Gardel Singer · 1890–1935
  4. Carlos Alberto Torres Soccer player · 1944–2016
  5. Carlos I of Portugal Politician · 1863–1908

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Carlos in 2025?

Carlos ranked #150 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 2,418 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Carlos?

309,076 babies have been named Carlos in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Carlos most popular?

Carlos peaked in 2001, when 6,864 newborns received the name.

Is Carlos a boy or girl name?

Carlos is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.

Is the name Carlos rising or falling?

Carlos is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Carlos?

Well-known people named Carlos include Carlos Slim (businessperson), Carlos Castaneda (writer), Carlos Gardel (singer).

Names like Carlos

Compare Carlos with similar names →