Charley
What does Charley mean and where does it come from?
Charley is originally a diminutive form of Charles, derived from the Germanic name 'Karl', meaning 'man' or 'free man'. While traditionally a masculine name, Charley has gained popularity as a feminine name, especially in the 20th and 21st centuries. It is often used in both its masculine and femini
How else can you spell Charley?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
What middle names flow best with Charley?
Charley works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
How popular is Charley right now?
Declining — down 30 spots — currently #760 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
The story of Charley
Charley entered American naming records in 1901 and has been in use for over 123 years. A total of 32,831 babies have received this name. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #1793 in 1910 to #726 in 2023. Charley is used for both genders: 28% female and 72% male.
Names that peaked alongside Charley in 2014:
Charley by decade
Charley peaked in the 2010s. See all 2010s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 2,550 | |
| 1890s | 1,755 | |
| 1900s | 1,645 | |
| 1910s | 3,609 | |
| 1920s | 4,137 | |
| 1930s | 2,554 | |
| 1940s | 1,953 | |
| 1950s | 1,465 | |
| 1960s | 1,032 | |
| 1970s | 803 | |
| 1980s | 1,013 | |
| 1990s | 1,094 | |
| 2000s | 2,357 | |
| 2010s ★ | 6,223 | |
| 2020s | 1,558 |
What are good nicknames for Charley?
What names sound and feel like Charley?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Charley also consider these