Carlo Carafa (29 March 1517 - 6 March 1561) was an Italian cardinal. He was born at Naples into one of the city's most ancient and distinguished families. His father was Giovanni Alfonso Carafa, count of Montorio, and his mother Caterina Cantelma. He was subsequently Cardinal Nephew of Pope Paul IV from 1555-9. His brother was Giovanni Carafa, Duke of Paliano.