Karl Davidson

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Karl Davidson — free man
104K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Karl Davidson is a name that combines Germanic origins. The first name Karl is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. Karl is a Germanic masculine name. It comes from Old High German, meaning 'man, husband, freeman' and was widely popularised in Central and Northern Europe by its status as a royal name, in particular through the Frankish Emperor Charlemagne. It is popular in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and was popularized by German-speaking descendants in the United States. The surname Davidson: Davidson is a patronymic surname, meaning "son/descendant of David" (or "Beloved Son/Descendant"; 'David' lit. "Beloved One"). In the Highlands of Scotland, where the surname is an anglicised version of the Gaelic "mac Daibhidh", Clan Davidson was traditionally a sept of the Clan Chattan Confederation. There are alternate spellings, including those common in the British Isles and Scandinavia: Davidsen, Davisson, Davison, Daveson, Davidsson. While the given name comes from the Hebrew "David", meaning beloved, Davidson is rarely used as a masculine given name or nickname. Karl is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 104K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Karl reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Karl

Meaning: free man

Germanic

Karl is a Germanic masculine name. It comes from Old High German, meaning 'man, husband, freeman' and was widely popularised in Central and Northern Europe by its status as a royal name, in particular through the Frankish Emperor Charlemagne. It is popular in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and was popularized by German-speaking descendants in the United States.

Surname: Davidson

Hebrew

Davidson is a patronymic surname, meaning "son/descendant of David" (or "Beloved Son/Descendant"; 'David' lit. "Beloved One"). In the Highlands of Scotland, where the surname is an anglicised version of the Gaelic "mac Daibhidh", Clan Davidson was traditionally a sept of the Clan Chattan Confederation. There are alternate spellings, including those common in the British Isles and Scandinavia: Davidsen, Davisson, Davison, Daveson, Davidsson. While the given name comes from the Hebrew "David", meaning beloved, Davidson is rarely used as a masculine given name or nickname.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Karl is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%
United Kingdom 28%
Australia 12%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Karl by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Karl Davidson

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Karl Davidson:

4
Expression Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

8
Soul Urge Number

Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.

5
Personality Number

Freedom and adaptability. A dynamic, versatile personality that embraces change and seeks new experiences.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Karl?
The first name Karl originates from Germanic. Karl is a Germanic masculine name. It comes from Old High German, meaning 'man, husband, freeman' and was widely popularised in Central and Northern Europe by its status as a royal name, in particular through the Frankish Emperor Charlemagne. It is popular in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and was popularized by German-speaking descendants in the United States.
When was Karl most popular?
The name Karl reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Davidson?
The surname Davidson originates from Hebrew. Davidson is a patronymic surname, meaning "son/descendant of David" (or "Beloved Son/Descendant"; 'David' lit. "Beloved One"). In the Highlands of Scotland, where the surname is an anglicised version of the Gaelic "mac Daibhidh", Clan Davidson was traditionally a sept of the Clan Chattan Confederation. There are alternate spellings, including those common in the British Isles and Scandinavia: Davidsen, Davisson, Davison, Daveson, Davidsson. While the given name comes from the Hebrew "David", meaning beloved, Davidson is rarely used as a masculine given name or nickname.
What are the origins of the name Karl Davidson?
The name Karl Davidson combines two different traditions: the first name Karl has Germanic roots, while the surname Davidson originates from Hebrew.
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