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Karli

Girl name · 88 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Karli: 88 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 10 births in 1998.

Karli is a modern feminine variant of the Old Norse name Karl, meaning “free man,” and it shares its roots with the more common Scottish and English names Carla and Carly. While no major historical figures bear the name, Scottish footballer Karli Ritchie, who plays for Glasgow City and has represented Scotland internationally, brings a contemporary sporting association. There are no notable places directly named after a Karli, but the name’s etymological link to Charles connects it indirectly to countless towns and cities worldwide. As a spelling variation of Carly, Karli gained modest traction in Scotland from the 1980s onward, often chosen by parents seeking a slightly less familiar yet melodic feminine form of the classic Carl.