Carlisle
Carlisle: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /kɑːɹˈlaɪl/ · /kɑːˈlaɪl/
Meaning and origin of Carlisle
Root meaning: “fort”
- A unisex given name.
Etymology
From Middle English Carlele, from Middle English Carleol, Carleul, from Cumbric [Term?] (compare Caer Ligualid in the Historia Brittonum, Middle Welsh Caer Liwelydd, Welsh Caerliwelydd, all suffixed with -ydd), composed of Proto-Brythonic *kaɨr (“fort”) + Proto-Brythonic [Term?] (> Latin Luguvalium), from Proto-Celtic *Luguwalos (personal name, literally “strength of Lugus”), from *Lugus + *walos (“strength”). The absence of a suffix comparable to Welsh -ydd in the underlying Cumbric form is unexplained; see w:Cumbric/Absence of -ydd.
How popular is Carlisle?
Since 1880, 467 girls and 1,862 boys in the U.S. have been named Carlisle (20% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #4122 in 1944. Its highest rank for boys was #623 in 1893. In 2025, 45 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Carlisle
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English unisex names
Sibling name ideas for Carlisle
Sister and brother names that share Carlisle's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Carlisle FAQ
What does the name Carlisle mean?
Carlisle traces back to a root meaning "fort". A unisex given name. From Middle English Carlele, from Middle English Carleol, Carleul, from Cumbric [Term?] (compare Caer Ligualid in the Historia Brittonum, Middle Welsh Caer Liwelydd, Welsh Caerliwelydd, all suffixed with -ydd), composed of Proto-Brythonic *kaɨr (“fort”) + Proto-Brythonic [Term?] (> Latin Luguvalium), from Proto-Celtic *Luguwalos (personal name, literally “strength of Lugus”), from *Lugus + *walos (“strength”). The absence of a suffix comparable to Welsh -ydd in the underlying Cumbric form is unexplained; see w:Cumbric/Absence of -ydd.
What is the origin of the name Carlisle?
Carlisle is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Carlisle?
Since 1880, 467 girls and 1,862 boys in the U.S. have been named Carlisle (20% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #4122 in 1944. Its highest rank for boys was #623 in 1893. In 2025, 45 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Carlisle a boy or girl name?
Carlisle is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (467 girls and 1,862 boys since 1880).
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.