Carli is a feminine given name in English-speaking countries, functioning as a variant of Carly. While Carly itself emerged as a modern feminine form of Carl (ultimately a Germanic and Scandinavian variant of Karl), Carli represents an alternative spelling using the '-i' suffix. Like related forms such as Carley and Carlie, Carli offers a slightly unique visual identity while maintaining the same core phonetic sound. Etymology The connection to Carl anchors Carli in a long Germanic onomastic tradition that reaches back to Karl, meaning “free man” and ultimately Charles. The rise of Carly—and by extension Carli—saw a surge in popularity in the 1970s, spurred in part by the fame of American singer Carly Simon (1945–). Notable Bearers A number of accomplished women named Carli have made their mark, especially in sports and the arts. The most internationally recognized is Carli Lloyd (born 1982), an American professional soccer star who famously scored a hat-trick in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup final to lead her team to victory. A second athlete with the same name is Carli Lloyd (born 1989), an American volleyball player who represented the United States in international competition. Outside athletics, Carli Muñoz (born 1948) is a respected Puerto Rican jazz and rock keyboardist who performed with legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix and later released solo albums. In European sports, Carli de Murga (born 1988) is a Filipino professional footballer who plays in the Philippines national team, and Carli Renzi (born 1982) is an Australian wrestler and judoka who competed in the Commonwealth Games. Creative fields also feature Carli prominently. Carli Biessels (1936–2016) was a Dutch author of children's literature whose work earned critical praise. Carli Hermès (born 1963) is a well-known Dutch fashion photographer and video director. In entertainment, Carli Norris (born 1974) is an English actress with stage and screen credits, Carli Mosier is an American voice actress, and Carli Tornehave (born 1932) is a Swedish swing singer and actor from the mid‑20th century. Cultural Context Carli is also recognized in fiction: the character Carli D'Amato, the popular girl in the British sitcom The Inbetweeners (played by Emily Head), exemplifies the name's modern, familiar feel in youth culture. Key Facts Meaning: Feminine form of Carl, ultimately from Germanic “karl” meaning “free man” Origin: English, via Carl / Latin Carolus Usage: Primarily English-speaking countries Variant of: Carly (directly), Carl (masculine) Related forms: Carley, Carlie, Karli, Karlie, Karlee