Carlsen is a Danish-Norwegian patronymic surname meaning "son of Carl". The form Karlsen is cognate. The parallel Swedish forms are Carlsson and Karlsson. Notable people with the surname include:
Agnete Carlsen (born 1971) Norwegian footballer, world champion and Olympic medalist
Audun Carlsen, Norwegian male escort who was falsely imprisoned by Boy George in 2007.
Christian Thomsen Carl, also referred to as Carlsen (1676-1713), Danish navy officer
Dale Carlsen, American businessman
Dines Carlsen (1901–1966), American painter
Emil Carlsen (1853–1932), American painter
Eric Carlsén (born 1982), Swedish curler
Gary Carlsen (born 1945), American discus thrower
Henrik Carlsen (born 1959), Danish composer
Henrik Kurt Carlsen (1914 ? - 1989), Danish sea captain
Kenneth Carlsen (born 1973), Danish tennis player
Magnus Carlsen (born 1990), Norwegian chess Grandmaster and current World Champion, FIDE rank #1 as of 2011
Nils Carlsén (born 1985), Swedish curler
Olav Sigurd Carlsen (1930–2013), Norwegian politician
Per Carlsén (born 1960), Swedish curler
Reidar Carlsen (1908–1987), Norwegian politician
