Charlotte

“free man” — Associated with royalty

France origin · Girl name

♂ 0% boys♀ 100% girls

#3US 2023

12.6kBirths / yr

→Stable

388.8kAll-time births

📅 Since 1880🏆 73 years in top 1000.81% of births at peak

How to pronounce Charlotte

SHAH·rlut

/ˈʃɑ.rlət/ · stress on SHAH · 2 syllables

“free man”

Associated with royalty · France origin

What does Charlotte mean and where does it come from?

The name Charlotte is derived from the French name 'Charles,' which means 'free man.' It gained popularity in the 18th century and is often associated with royalty, particularly Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III of Great Britain. The name has been consistently popular and features in seve

Cultural significance

Charlotte has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in France-speaking communities, where it reflects values of free man.

Peak popularity

Reached #4 in 2020 — currently #3 in the US.

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What middle names flow best with Charlotte?

Charlotte works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Charlotte Grace

How popular is Charlotte right now?

Holding steady — currently #3 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1880–2023#3 · Top 0.01%

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#3	12,628	stable · -2% births
2022	#3	12,944	stable · -3% births
2021	#3	13,362	▲ up 1 · +3% births
2020	#4	13,003	▲ up 5 · +14% births
2015	#9	11,398	▲ up 37 · +113% births
2010	#46	5,357	▲ up 89 · +119% births
2005	#135	2,444	▲ up 154 · +121% births
2000	#289	1,104	▼ down 12 · +11% births
1995	#277	997	▲ up 10 · +4% births
1990	#287	962	▼ down 22 · +2% births
1985	#265	943	▲ up 26 · +11% births
1980	#291	850	▼ down 67 · -21% births
1975	#224	1,081	▼ down 58 · -46% births
1970	#166	1,992	▼ down 13 · -19% births
1965	#153	2,472	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Charlotte

Best Year2021Rank #3

Peak Count13,362

Average Rank#118

Current Trend↗Rising

Data Range1900 - 202328 years

The story of Charlotte

Charlotte has been a beloved American name for over 144 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1880. It peaked at #4 in 2020, placing it among the top 10 most popular names. More than 388,806 babies have been named Charlotte since 1880. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #91 in 1880 to #3 in 2023. Charlotte is used for both genders: 100% female and 0% male.

Names that peaked alongside Charlotte in 2020:

Olivia Emma Ava Sophia Amelia

Charlotte by decade

Charlotte peaked in the 2020s. See all 2020s names →

Decade	Births
1880s	3,311
1890s	4,771
1900s	6,198
1910s	22,601
1920s	35,824
1930s	34,771
1940s	49,644
1950s	37,074
1960s	24,309
1970s	12,535
1980s	8,508
1990s	9,683
2000s	24,255
2010s ★	102,313
2020s	13,009

What are good nicknames for Charlotte?

CROATIAN

Lina

CZECH

Kája

DANISH

InaLinaLineLotte

DUTCH

LienLotte

Famous people named Charlotte

Charlotte Brontë

English novelist who wrote Jane Eyre, one of the most celebrated novels in English literature

Princess Charlotte

Daughter of Prince William and Princess Catherine, fourth in line to the British throne

Charlotte Gainsbourg

French-British actress and singer, winner of the Cannes Best Actress award

Charlotte Church

Welsh singer dubbed "Voice of an Angel" who achieved fame as a child soprano

Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Pioneering American feminist and author of The Yellow Wallpaper

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Celebrity Names

What celebrities named their babies in 2025

Explore →

What names sound and feel like Charlotte?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Charlotte also consider these

English · A variant of

How is Charlotte written in other languages?

What are the boy versions of Charlotte?

Carolus ANCIENT GERMANIC Karl ANCIENT GERMANIC Carles CATALAN Carlos CATALAN Karlo CROATIAN Karel CZECH Carl DANISH Karl DANISH Karel DUTCH Carl ENGLISH Carol ENGLISH Charles ENGLISH Charley ENGLISH Charlie ENGLISH Chas ENGLISH Chaz ENGLISH Chip ENGLISH Chuck ENGLISH Karl ENGLISH Kaarle FINNISH Kaarlo FINNISH Kalle FINNISH Karl FINNISH Charles FRENCH Charlot FRENCH Carl GERMAN Karl GERMAN Kale HAWAIIAN Karcsi HUNGARIAN Károly HUNGARIAN Séarlas IRISH Carlo ITALIAN Sjarel LIMBURGISH Karolis LITHUANIAN Carl NORWEGIAN Karl NORWEGIAN Karol POLISH Carlinhos PORTUGUESE Carlito PORTUGUESE Carlitos PORTUGUESE Carlos PORTUGUESE Carol ROMANIAN Karol SLOVAK Karel SLOVENE Karol SLOVENE Carlito SPANISH Carlitos SPANISH Carlos SPANISH Carl SWEDISH Kalle SWEDISH Karl SWEDISH Siarl WELSH Liselotte DANISH Lotte DANISH Liselot DUTCH Liselotte DUTCH Lotte DUTCH Lieselotte GERMAN Lilo GERMAN Liselotte GERMAN Lotte GERMAN Charlemagne HISTORY Liselott SWEDISH Liselotte SWEDISH Lotte SWEDISH Lottie SWEDISH

Common questions about the name Charlotte

What does the name Charlotte mean?

Charlotte means "free man" — a name rooted in France tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Charlotte?

Charlotte is currently ranked #3 in the United States as a baby name in the US and is holding steady in popularity, a reliable classic that parents consistently choose.

What is the cultural origin of Charlotte?

Charlotte originates from France tradition. France names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Charlotte?

Charlotte is a two-syllable name pronounced SH AA1 R L AH0 T. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

Is Charlotte more of a girl or boy name?

Charlotte is a genuinely unisex name used for both boys and girls. The unisex quality makes it particularly versatile for modern families.