Charles
What does Charles mean and where does it come from?
Charles originates from the Germanic name Karl, meaning 'free man' or 'man of the free people'. While traditionally a male name, it has gained popularity as a female name in modern times, often used in feminine forms or as a standalone name. Historical figures such as Charles Darwin and King Charles
How else can you spell Charles?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
What middle names flow best with Charles?
Charles works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
How popular is Charles right now?
Holding steady — currently #54 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
The story of Charles
Charles has been a beloved American name for over 144 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1880. It peaked at #4 in 1880, placing it among the top 10 most popular names. Over 2418K babies have been given this name — a true American classic. Charles is used for both genders: 1% female and 99% male.
Names that peaked alongside Charles in 1880:
Charles by decade
Charles peaked in the 1880s. See all 1880s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 46,879 | |
| 1890s | 37,084 | |
| 1900s | 36,428 | |
| 1910s | 174,419 | |
| 1920s | 300,194 | |
| 1930s | 304,960 | |
| 1940s ★ | 363,159 | |
| 1950s | 362,499 | |
| 1960s | 250,714 | |
| 1970s | 164,305 | |
| 1980s | 132,888 | |
| 1990s | 92,643 | |
| 2000s | 75,478 | |
| 2010s | 69,924 | |
| 2020s | 6,199 |
What are good nicknames for Charles?
What names sound and feel like Charles?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Charles also consider these