Meaning and history
Carolus is the Latin form of Charles. Charles derives from a Germanic word meaning “man” or “free man,” and the Latin form was widely used in medieval records, scholarship, and formal royal names. Charlemagne was called Carolus Magnus in Latin, giving it a major imperial association. Notable scholarly bearers include botanist Carolus Clusius and naturalist Carolus Linnaeus, both known by Latinized forms of their birth names. Carlo, Carlos, and Karl are related forms.