'I suspect Cornwell’s alias was a private joke, and a simple one. For English readers, “le Carré” has continental allure, a whiff of danger or sophistication. But its literal translation implies the opposite: In French, “le carré” means “the square” — the rule follower, the law abider, the fuddy-duddy.'

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/12/books/john-le-carre-best-books.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage&section=Book%20Review