Karley

Karley is one of the several spelling variations of Karla, the female form of Karl. In Old High German, the term “karl” signified a “free man” but not one of nobility; i.e., from the same medieval root as the Olde English word “ceorl” which stood for “man of low birth, a common man”. In the later Middle High German or Middle English, the terms evolved their definitions to mean more simply “man, fellow, husband”. Despite the name’s rather “lowly” beginnings, many Europeans of high rank and those among the royalty bore names derived from the Karl/Carl root (such as Charlemagne, Charles, Caroline and Charlotte). In fact, the 8th/9th century Frankish leader, Charlemagne (Latin for Charles the Great), had a lot to do with the name’s persistent usage among the early Franks (a Germanic tribe and precursors to the French people). The French eventually brought the name to England, and the female versions of Charlotte and Caroline developed and spread. Eventually, the diminutives Charlie (Charlotte) and Carly/Carrie (Caroline) evolved. These short forms became independently given names in their own right in more modern times. Carly is the most popular form of the “Carly” names followed by Karlee and Carlee.