The nameCharles
Charles is a boy's name of Germanic origin meaning "free man". The name of Charlemagne and of three kings of England, it is a timeless royal classic.
- Boy's name
- Germanic
- Feast day
Meaning
Charles comes from the Germanic karl, "man, free man".
Origin
Germanic, through French. Charlemagne, Charles the Great, made the name a royal one across Europe.
History
Three kings of England have been called Charles, the latest being Charles III, crowned in 2023. In the United States it was in the top 10 from 1880 to the 1950s. Charlie, Chuck and Chas are its short forms, and Carlos, Carlo and Karl its forms in other languages.
Charles in other languages
Charles is spelled the same in English and French. It is Karl in German and the Nordic countries, Carlo in Italian, Carlos in Spanish and Portuguese, Karol in Polish and Károly in Hungarian. Charlemagne, Carolus Magnus in Latin, means "Charles the Great".
Nicknames for Charles
The most common nicknames for Charles: Charlie, Chuck and Chas.
Did you know?
- Charles III became king in 2022 at 73, the oldest person to accede to the British throne.
- Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species in 1859.
- Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in 1843, in about six weeks.
Famous people named Charles
- Charlemagne
- King Charles III
- Charles Dickens, writer
- Charles Darwin, naturalist
Popularity of the name Charles
Charles in the United States
Charles was most popular in the United States in the 1940s, with 363,226 births over the decade, 15% of all recorded babies named Charles. Half of all babies named Charles in the United States were born before 1948, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 5,846 births a year on average, against 6,929 in the five years before.
Charles in the United Kingdom
Charles was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 14,556 births over the decade, 43% of all recorded babies named Charles. Half of all babies named Charles in the United Kingdom were born before 2007, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 537 births a year on average, against 834 in the five years before.
Charles in Ireland
Charles in France
Charles in Belgium
Charles in Switzerland
Charles in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Charles
Names from the same generation as Charles, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Charles? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Charles with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Charles side by side with the name of your choice.
Charles in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Charles mean?
Charles comes from the Germanic karl, "man, free man".
What is the origin of the name Charles?
Germanic, through French. Charlemagne, Charles the Great, made the name a royal one across Europe.
Is Charles a girl's or a boy's name?
Charles is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Charles?
In 2024, Charles was the 51st most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 5,593 births.
What are the variants of the name Charles?
Variants and related names of Charles include Anne-Caroline, Anne-Charlotte, Carla, Carlo, Carlos, Carol, Carolane and Carole.
What are good sibling names for Charles?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Emma, Autumn, Zoe and Ella for a sister, William, Ian, Luke and Isaac for a brother.
What are common nicknames for Charles?
The most common nicknames for Charles are Charlie, Chuck and Chas.
Who are famous people named Charles?
Charlemagne; King Charles III; Charles Dickens, writer; Charles Darwin, naturalist.