Charles Name Meaning
Learn more about the meaning, origin, and popularity of the name Charles.Fact checked by Sarah ScottFact checked by Sarah ScottIf you're looking for a traditional, masculine name that seems to never go out of style, consider using the name Charles. The name Charles is derived from the Old English word ceorl, meaning “free man.” The word ceorl was used to distinguish a free person from a bondsman or slave (thew) and a noble person (eorl). Origin: Charles is the French spelling of the Germanic name Karl (or Carl).Gender: Charles is traditionally the masculine form of the name. Feminine variations include Carla, Carlotta, and Charlotte.Pronunciation: chahrlz
Editor's NoteAlthough baby names are often separated by gender, Parents believes that sex need not play any role in your name selection process. It’s important to select the name that you feel is best suited for your new baby.
How Popular Is the Name Charles?Charles has been a popular name for boys in the US for over a century. It was in the top 10 boy names from the late 1800s until the mid-1950s, dropping to the No. 11 spot on the most popular baby names for boys list in 1955.The name dipped in popularity in the second half of the 20th century, but even at its lowest point (No. 63 in 2010), it was still one of the top 100 names. In 2023, Charles ranked as the No. 54 name for boys in America.Name VariationsHere are just a few of the most common forms of the name Charles.Masculine forms include:CarlCarlitoCarloCarlosChadKarlKarelKarloKarlosFeminine forms include:CarlaCarli/Carlie/CarlyCarol/CaroleCaroline/CarolynCharlene/CharlineCharli/Charlie/CharleeCharlizeCharlotteKarlaKarolinaSimilar NamesSimilar sounding names to Charles include:ChadChandlerChanningOther boy names starting with "C" include:CalebCallumCalvinCameronCarlosCarterChaseChristianColeConnorCommon Nicknames for CharlesThe name Charles lends itself to several great nicknames, including:Charlie/CharleyChas/ChazChuckChucky/ChuckieSuggested Sibling NamesGreat options for a sibling name for Charles include:WilliamThomasJamesDavidOliviaHarperAbigailEmilyFamous People Named CharlesThe name Charles has long been associated with royalty, going back as far as Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor, whose name means “Charles the Great.” There have been three kings of England named Charles: Charles I, Charles II, and Charles III. Kings named Charles have also reigned over Austria, Romania, Sardinia, Spain, and Sweden.Famous CharlesesCharles Addams, American cartoonist known for creating “The Addams Family”Charles Barkley, American former professional basketball playerCharles Baudelaire, French poet best known for his book of poetry Les Fleurs du malCharles Babbage, English mathematician, philosopher, mechanical engineer, and computer scientistCharles Bronson, American actor known for his role as a crime-fighting vigilante in the Death Wish film seriesCharles Bukowski, American poet and novelistCharles Curtis, American politician who served as Vice President of the United States under President Herbert HooverCharles Darwin, English scientist known for his book On the Origin of Species which introduced the theory of evolutionCharles G. Dawes, American politician who served as Vice President of the United States under President Calvin CoolidgeCharles Dickens, English novelist known for immensely popular Victorian-era books such as A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, and A Tale of Two CitiesCharles Dodgson, English author who published Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland under the pen name Lewis CarrollCharles W. Fairbanks, American politician who served as Vice President of the United States under President Theodore RooseveltCharles Grodin, American actor who appeared in such films as Midnight Run and Beethoven before hosting The Charles Grodin Show on CNBCCharles Laughton, English actor known for his roles in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Witness for the ProsecutionCharles Lindbergh, American aviator who was the first to fly solo across the Atlantic OceanCharles Martinet, American actor known for performing the voices of Mario and other characters in the Super Mario video game seriesCharles Harrison Mason, American preacher and founder of the Church of God in ChristCharles Myer, American major league baseball All-Star second basemanCharles Mingus, American jazz bassist and composerCharles Nelson Reilly, American comic actor and game show regularCharles Sifford, American golfer who was the first African American to play in a PGA tourCharles M. Schulz, American cartoonist, creator of the comic strip “Peanuts”Charles R. Schwab, American stockbroker and founder of the Charles Schwab CorporationCharles Davis Tillman, American musician and pioneer of Southern gospel musicCharles Webb, American novelist, best known as the author of The GraduateCharles Wesley, American cleric who co-founded the Methodist ChurchCharles Wilson, American politician who was the subject of 2007 movie Charlie Wilson's WarCharles Zadok, American businessman, art collector, and patronFamous CharliesCharlie Chaplin, English actor, filmmaker, and composer, known for his contributions to silent filmCharlie Daniels, American singer-songwriter known for his number-one country hit “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”Charlie Parker, American jazz saxophonist whose virtuoso playing and improvisation style revolutionized jazz Charlie Rose, American television personality, host of the program Charlie Rose on PBSCharlie Watts, English musician and drummer for the Rolling Stones
More Baby NamesStill searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:Top 1,000 Baby Boy NamesHow To Choose a Name for Your Baby45 Gender-Neutral Baby Names
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