Carlos’ or Carlos’s?

The term Carlos’s is the more common way to form the singular possessive of Carlos. For example, “Carlos’s car is very fast.” However, the word Carlos’ without an additional “s” at the end is also correct, and it is a matter of preference which you use. For instance, “Carlos’ house is at the end of the street.”

The following table shows the singular forms of the name Carlos.

Singular	Carlos
Singular possessive	Carlos’ / Carlos’s

As you can see, you can form the singular possessive in two ways because the word Carlos ends with an “s.”

According to Google Ngram, the more common possessive form is Carlos’s. This is also the form you should follow for APA Style and Chicago Manual of Style.

Alternatively, you can use the less popular version, which is Carlos’. You should use this version with no additional “s” if you follow AP Style.

Considering the above rules, both of the following sentences are correct:

• Carlos’s cooking skills are excellent.
• Carlos’ cat is very playful.

However, if you start using one version in a text, you should continue with that version until the end.

Perhaps you still have doubts about the different forms of the name Carlos. If so, please continue reading the rest of the page to avoid making mistakes in the future.

Carlos’s

The term Carlos’s is the more popular singular possessive version of the name Carlos. Therefore, you use it to indicate that something belongs to a person named Carlos.

Furthermore, style guides like the Chicago Manual of Style and APA Style suggest that you should use this singular possessive form with the additional “s.”

Carlos’s dedication to his family is admirable.

Sometimes people avoid adding the “s” at the end when the word after it begins with “s.” However, this is just a preference, and the other version is still acceptable.

• Correct: Carlos’ smile is very charming.
• Correct: Carlos’s smile is very charming.

Although, whichever version you choose to use, you must be consistent and use the same version throughout the text.

Carlos’

The term Carlos’ with an apostrophe and no additional “s” is a singular possessive form of the name Carlos.

However, it has never been as popular as Carlos’s with an “s,” although Carlos’ is the correct version if you use AP Style.

• Carlos’ team won the championship.

However, although Carlos’s is more common, Carlos’ is clearer because if the following word starts with an “s,” then you avoid having three instances of the letter “s” in a row.

• Carlos’ sister is very talented.

Also, if you choose to use the version without the second “s,” you should use that version throughout the document, regardless of whether the following word starts with “s.”