Fun Facts About the Name Carlito
- More than 1 thousand babies named Carlito: U.S. records list 1,352 babies given the name Carlito from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Carlito Mean?
Carlito is a diminutive of Carlos, the Spanish and Portuguese form of the Germanic name Karl, which Latin writers recorded as Carolus. The ending -ito is a Spanish diminutive suffix, so the name literally means "little Carlos." The older root, Germanic karl, referred to a man - in particular a man of free status rather than a servant or slave - which is why the name is customarily translated as "free man." Some references gloss the root simply as "man"; the sense "free man" comes from its use for someone of free rather than servile standing. The diminutive ending adds familiarity, not a new meaning, so Carlito carries the same sense as Carlos and Charles: "free man."
Carlito Name History & Origins
Carlito belongs to the Charles family of names. Its base is the Frankish Karl, written in Latin as Carolus, which developed into Charles in French and Carlos in Spanish and Portuguese. The Latin Carolus was the form used for Charlemagne, Carolus Magnus, and the reach of his empire and legend helped spread the name through both Romance and Germanic-speaking lands.
The Spanish suffix -ito is attached to names to make affectionate or familiar forms - Juan becomes Juanito, Carlos becomes Carlito - and these forms frequently stand on their own as given names. Portuguese more often uses -inho, giving Carlinhos, though -ito also appears in Portuguese and in Spanish-influenced naming. A further diminutive, Carlitos, is also used.
Through Spanish settlement and rule, the name came into use in Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines. A well-known modern appearance is Carlito Brigante, the protagonist of Edwin Torres's novel After Hours (1975) and the film Carlito's Way (1993); that is a twentieth-century literary use of an older name, not its origin.
How Popular is the Name Carlito?
Carlito has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2006. Its best rank was #1,585 in 2006.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #4,731 | 21 | 0.0012% |
| 2024 | #5,461 | 17 | 0.0010% |
| 2023 | #6,599 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 2022 | #5,667 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 2021 | #5,809 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 2020 | #4,726 | 20 | 0.0012% |
| 2019 | #3,359 | 34 | 0.0019% |
| 2018 | #3,060 | 38 | 0.0021% |
| 2017 | #3,322 | 34 | 0.0018% |
| 2016 | #3,067 | 38 | 0.0020% |
| 2015 | #2,687 | 45 | 0.0023% |
| 2014 | #2,158 | 63 | 0.0033% |
| 2013 | #2,494 | 49 | 0.0026% |
| 2012 | #2,780 | 43 | 0.0023% |
| 2011 | #2,636 | 46 | 0.0024% |
| 2010 | #2,473 | 50 | 0.0026% |
| 2009 | #2,353 | 55 | 0.0028% |
| 2008 | #2,129 | 64 | 0.0031% |
| 2007 | #1,865 | 77 | 0.0037% |
| 2006 | #1,585 | 92 | 0.0045% |
| 2005 | #2,302 | 51 | 0.0026% |
| 2004 | #3,651 | 25 | 0.0013% |
| 2003 | #3,638 | 24 | 0.0012% |
| 2002 | #3,031 | 30 | 0.0015% |
| 2001 | #3,862 | 21 | 0.0011% |
| 2000 | #2,581 | 36 | 0.0018% |
| 1999 | #3,119 | 26 | 0.0014% |
| 1998 | #3,106 | 25 | 0.0013% |
| 1997 | #2,205 | 39 | 0.0021% |
| 1996 | #2,384 | 33 | 0.0017% |
| 1995 | #2,255 | 35 | 0.0018% |
| 1994 | #2,631 | 28 | 0.0014% |
| 1993 | #4,742 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 1992 | #6,758 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1991 | #7,395 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1990 | #6,503 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1987 | #5,565 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1985 | #4,087 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1984 | #6,450 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1983 | #4,996 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1981 | #6,408 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1980 | #4,555 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1979 | #3,840 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1978 | #5,146 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1976 | #5,009 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1975 | #4,873 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1974 | #5,314 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1973 | #3,751 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1971 | #4,022 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1967 | #3,276 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1966 | #3,022 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1965 | #3,280 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1964 | #4,124 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Carlito Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are cheerful and friendly, but are apt to have an emotional life. You like to have several lines of effort going at once. You are a good talker and promoter and seldom worry over anything. At times, you can be impatient, and impulsive. You have the ability to bring an idea to completion. You can express yourself joyously and constructively. You might be psychic, but not know it. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
You find the best contentment in life when you own your own home and provide well for your family and loved ones. You have a great sense of responsibility and duty. You are comforting, appreciative and affectionate. Your obligation in life is to hold justice and truth, and if you follow the Law, you can find the great happiness and satisfaction.
✦ Carlito's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Carlito's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.