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Boy's nameOrigin: GermanicThis name does not have a nameday in the official SK calendar

Karel

Karel is the traditional Czech form of the Germanic name Karl (Charles). It is deeply tied to Central European cultural and royal history, carrying a strong sense of dignity and heritage. It is a wonderful choice for parents seeking an authentic, time-honored name with continental prestige.

Name variants

International equivalents and translations

English:
Slovak:
Czech:
Karel
Hungarian:
Polish:
Ukrainian:
German:
Spanish:
French:
Italian:
Portuguese:
Other world variants:
Compare this name
Opposite gender version:
Girl's name: CaroGirl's name: Karla

Origin and etymology of the name

Scholarly onomastic and linguistic analysis
Linguistic explanation and meaning

A Germanic name originally meaning 'man', 'free man', or 'fellow'.

Detailed Slovak etymology analysis

Meno Karel je česká podoba germánskeho mena Karl, ktoré sa vykladá z pragermánskeho apelatíva *karilaz vo význame „muž, slobodný muž“; druhotne sa uvádzajú aj významy „chlap“ či „sedliak“. Meno preslávil franský panovník Karol Veľký. Jeho meno sa tradične pokladá za východisko slovanského pomenovania panovníka, v slovenčine kráľ. V slovenskom prostredí sa Karel používa popri domácej podobe Karol.

AI assisted in preparing this text. The listed sources support checking individual claims; they do not guarantee expert review of the entire profile or legal eligibility of the name.

Medzinárodný cestovateľský index

Ako ľahko sa meno Karel vyslovuje v cudzine, zapisuje na letenky a vníma vo svete

100 / 100Svetobežník (Globálne meno)
Stupeň medzinárodnej adaptácie100 %
Zápis v pase / na letenke:

KAREL

100 % zhodný s pôvodným tvarom
Písmo a diakritika:

Bez diakritiky (ASCII)

Univerzálny medzinárodný zápis
Svetové jazyky:

20 cudzích podôb

Česky, Anglicky, Maďarsky
Cestovateľské výhody mena
  • •Zápis bez diakritiky – 100 % zhodný s medzinárodnými pasmi, letenkami a cudzími klávesnicami.
  • •Univerzálna výslovnosť – neobsahuje zhluky hlások náročné pre cudzincov.
  • •Ideálna dvojslabičná dĺžka – melodická a rýchlo zapamätateľná na celom svete.
  • •Globálne rozšírené meno – má priame ekvivalenty vo viac než 10 svetových jazykoch.

Name days and calendars

Dates in Slovak and international calendars
28 January
Estónsko
4 November
Czech Calendar
Pronunciation and phonetic note:

The name has foreign origin. You can listen to both native (Nemčina) and localized pronunciations.

Grammar & Cases

Overview of grammatical cases for greetings, cards, and official use
Syllable count: 2
1. Nominative:Who, what?
Karel
2. Genitive:Of whom, of what?
Karla
3. Dative:To whom, to what?
Karlovi
4. Accusative:Whom, what?
Karla
5. Vocative (address):Direct address
Karel
6. Locative:About whom, about what?
Karlovi
7. Instrumental:With whom, with what?
Karlom

Diminutives and pet forms

Affectionate and family nicknames
Domestic forms, nicknames and diminutives:
KarelkoKájaKájoKarlík
Formal address:Official correspondence and formal occasions
Dear Mr. Karel
Familiar address (intimate form):Addressing family and friends
Karel! Karelko! Kájo!

Notable figures named Karel

32

People connected to this name according to Wikidata and editorial sources.

All personalities catalog
Person type
Karel Čapek
CZ
1890 – 1938Historical Figure

Czech writer (1890–1938)

Karel IV.
1316 – 1378Historical Figure

Holy Roman Emperor

Karel Ludvík Rakousko-Těšínský
1771 – 1847Historical Figure

Archduke of Austria (1771-1847)

Karel Poborský
CZ
born 1972Notable Figure

Czech footballer

Karel Appel
NL
1921 – 2006Historical Figure

Dutch painter, sculptor, and poet (1921-2006)

Karel Gott
CZ
1939 – 2019Historical Figure

Czech singer and actor (1939–2019)

Karel Schwarzenberg
CZ
1937 – 2023Historical Figure

Czech politician, minister of foreign affairs and vice prime minister (1937–2023)

Karel van Mander I.
1548 – 1606Historical Figure

Flemish painter, poet and art historian (1548–1606)

Test how Karel sounds with your surname

Acoustic analyzer evaluates pronunciation fluency and syllable rhythm.

Supports compound surnames (e.g. Smith-Jones)

Full name:

Karel Smith

2 + 1 = 3 syllables

85 / 100Very good
ID
Initials / monogram:with dots:K.S.without dots:KS
What works about this combination:
  • The combination has a balanced rhythm and clear sound transitions.

Personal note & rating

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