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Charles Name Origin: German
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Pronunciation: ch(arr)-uhlz
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See what 13 people think about Charles
Charles Name Meaning
A dapper pick with an enviable meaning, Charles has been a long-standing favorite for parents. He is a name of strength, but don’t be fooled into thinking he doesn’t have a soft side.
Coming from German roots, Charles has a unique sound that isn’t common across the Top 100. As a rule, the Ch- sound start isn’t as widespread in boy names as hot letters like J and A. This allows a little Charles to have a distinguished sound from his classmates.
Charles is a serious name that is wise beyond his years. He’s a stately pick with old-soul vibes, a stylish name among today’s modern monikers. He’s stood the test of time with good reason, having a posh air to him that reeks of success. A little Charles is an ambitious one with a hunger for learning, working hard at his goals while studying diligently.
Charles comes with the adorable nickname of Charlie as well as a few less popular picks like Chuck, Carl, and Chase. He can be dressed up and down as you choose and is a great name to grow with your little one.
The name has enjoyed years of popularity, but he’s hardly overused. Like Thomas and Robert, he’s seen his share of Top 100 rankings, but has cooled off enough to remain fresh. He isn’t at all dated, cementing himself as a classic.
Infographic of Charles name meaning, which is A German name, Charles means free man.
Ask your friends & family about Charles…
Charles Name Popularity
How popular is the name Charles? Here’s everything we know.
| Year |
Rank |
# Births |
% Births |
| 1910 |
7 |
4,781 |
1.3579% |
| 1911 |
7 |
5,721 |
1.5363% |
| 1912 |
7 |
11,070 |
2.1951% |
| 1913 |
7 |
13,186 |
2.3257% |
| 1914 |
7 |
16,937 |
2.4303% |
| 1915 |
7 |
21,959 |
2.4169% |
| 1916 |
6 |
23,612 |
2.4443% |
| 1917 |
7 |
24,144 |
2.4133% |
| 1918 |
5 |
26,923 |
2.5086% |
| 1919 |
5 |
25,191 |
2.4057% |
| 1920 |
5 |
28,308 |
2.546% |
| 1921 |
5 |
29,246 |
2.5541% |
| 1922 |
5 |
28,840 |
2.5887% |
| 1923 |
5 |
28,960 |
2.5856% |
| 1924 |
5 |
30,461 |
2.6231% |
| 1925 |
5 |
29,581 |
2.6171% |
| 1926 |
5 |
29,521 |
2.684% |
| 1927 |
5 |
31,935 |
2.885% |
| 1928 |
5 |
31,245 |
2.9202% |
| 1929 |
5 |
29,932 |
2.8897% |
| 1930 |
6 |
31,860 |
3.05% |
| 1931 |
6 |
29,924 |
3.0319% |
| 1932 |
6 |
31,097 |
3.1476% |
| 1933 |
6 |
28,985 |
3.1111% |
| 1934 |
7 |
29,791 |
3.0817% |
| 1935 |
6 |
29,975 |
3.0845% |
| 1936 |
6 |
29,083 |
3.0192% |
| 1937 |
6 |
30,519 |
3.0971% |
| 1938 |
6 |
31,137 |
3.0415% |
| 1939 |
6 |
30,785 |
3.0264% |
| 1940 |
6 |
31,685 |
2.981% |
| 1941 |
6 |
32,728 |
2.9079% |
| 1942 |
7 |
35,845 |
2.8386% |
| 1943 |
7 |
36,628 |
2.8057% |
| 1944 |
7 |
34,650 |
2.7958% |
| 1945 |
7 |
32,463 |
2.6618% |
| 1946 |
9 |
38,200 |
2.5888% |
| 1947 |
9 |
40,772 |
2.4425% |
| 1948 |
9 |
38,677 |
2.4228% |
| 1949 |
9 |
40,043 |
2.4893% |
| 1950 |
9 |
39,099 |
2.4283% |
| 1951 |
9 |
39,405 |
2.3241% |
| 1952 |
9 |
38,875 |
2.2271% |
| 1953 |
9 |
38,401 |
2.1698% |
| 1954 |
10 |
37,443 |
2.0483% |
| 1955 |
11 |
35,355 |
1.9221% |
| 1956 |
11 |
35,207 |
1.8641% |
| 1957 |
11 |
34,252 |
1.78% |
| 1958 |
11 |
32,236 |
1.7057% |
| 1959 |
11 |
30,762 |
1.6191% |
| 1960 |
13 |
29,676 |
1.5662% |
| 1961 |
13 |
29,189 |
1.5461% |
| 1962 |
15 |
27,590 |
1.5028% |
| 1963 |
16 |
26,784 |
1.4921% |
| 1964 |
17 |
25,900 |
1.4714% |
| 1965 |
20 |
23,492 |
1.4365% |
| 1966 |
20 |
22,257 |
1.4255% |
| 1967 |
20 |
21,295 |
1.4032% |
| 1968 |
20 |
21,575 |
1.4368% |
| 1969 |
19 |
21,678 |
1.4071% |
| 1970 |
21 |
22,432 |
1.4096% |
| 1971 |
22 |
19,854 |
1.3212% |
| 1972 |
23 |
16,980 |
1.2467% |
| 1973 |
23 |
15,756 |
1.2153% |
| 1974 |
23 |
15,153 |
1.1659% |
| 1975 |
25 |
14,581 |
1.1347% |
| 1976 |
26 |
13,937 |
1.0814% |
| 1977 |
26 |
14,743 |
1.0937% |
| 1978 |
27 |
14,849 |
1.1045% |
| 1979 |
28 |
14,825 |
1.0514% |
| 1980 |
29 |
14,961 |
1.0232% |
| 1981 |
31 |
14,429 |
0.9816% |
| 1982 |
31 |
14,306 |
0.9573% |
| 1983 |
33 |
13,211 |
0.8953% |
| 1984 |
33 |
12,939 |
0.8698% |
| 1985 |
34 |
12,893 |
0.8494% |
| 1986 |
34 |
12,620 |
0.8361% |
| 1987 |
35 |
12,170 |
0.7975% |
| 1988 |
37 |
12,102 |
0.7766% |
| 1989 |
36 |
12,247 |
0.7589% |
| 1990 |
38 |
11,992 |
0.7235% |
| 1991 |
38 |
11,333 |
0.6953% |
| 1992 |
43 |
10,468 |
0.6558% |
| 1993 |
44 |
9,855 |
0.6321% |
| 1994 |
43 |
9,014 |
0.5874% |
| 1995 |
44 |
8,473 |
0.5622% |
| 1996 |
43 |
8,247 |
0.5508% |
| 1997 |
49 |
7,655 |
0.5176% |
| 1998 |
48 |
7,847 |
0.5243% |
| 1999 |
50 |
7,524 |
0.5024% |
| 2000 |
51 |
7,524 |
0.4925% |
| 2001 |
55 |
7,282 |
0.4833% |
| 2002 |
58 |
7,207 |
0.4809% |
| 2003 |
57 |
7,693 |
0.5057% |
| 2004 |
56 |
7,649 |
0.5019% |
| 2005 |
56 |
7,926 |
0.5184% |
| 2006 |
60 |
8,009 |
0.5115% |
| 2007 |
62 |
7,450 |
0.4722% |
| 2008 |
63 |
7,283 |
0.4712% |
| 2009 |
63 |
7,283 |
0.4873% |
| 2010 |
63 |
7,095 |
0.4923% |
| 2011 |
61 |
6,977 |
0.4897% |
| 2012 |
61 |
6,935 |
0.4867% |
| 2013 |
57 |
7,012 |
0.4925% |
| 2014 |
51 |
7,339 |
0.5037% |
| 2015 |
50 |
7,177 |
0.4933% |
| 2016 |
51 |
7,098 |
0.4923% |
| 2017 |
49 |
7,130 |
0.5109% |
| 2018 |
52 |
6,604 |
0.4807% |
| 2019 |
51 |
6,348 |
0.4689% |
| 2020 |
47 |
6,039 |
0.4744% |
| 2021 |
50 |
5,952 |
0.4869% |
| 2022 |
50 |
5,757 |
0.4364% |
District of Columbia (DC)
Data via SSA.gov.
Names Like Charles
If you like Charles, you’ll love these other names like Charles.
What names are diminutives of Charles?
A diminutive is a name that’s like Charles sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Charles, but shorter.
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin |
Popularity |
Other Gender |
|
Cale
|
Dog
|
English
|
|
|
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Carl
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A variant form of Charles.
|
German
|
|
|
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Cary
|
“He who is manly,” from the Greek kanjon, a kernel or a nut, in allusion to the male testicles.
|
Welsh
|
|
|
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Chad
|
“The pugnacious one,” from the Welsh cad, battle.
|
English
|
|
|
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Charley
|
Free man
|
German
|
|
|
|
Charlie
|
Free man
|
English
|
|
|
|
Charly
|
Free man
|
German
|
|
|
|
Chas
|
Free man
|
German
|
|
|
|
Chaz
|
Short form of Charles
|
German
|
|
|
|
Chick
|
Short form of Charles
|
English, German
|
|
|
|
Chip
|
Nickname for Charles, Richard, or Christopher
|
English
|
|
|
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Chuck
|
To chuck
|
German
|
|
|
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Curley
|
Strong man
|
English
|
|
|
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Karl
|
Free man
|
German
|
|
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What names are variants of Charles?
Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Charles.
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin |
Popularity |
Other Gender |
What names sound like Charles?
If you like how Charles sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Charles.
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin |
Popularity |
Other Gender |
|
Chadwick
|
Dairy farm of Ceadda
|
English
|
|
|
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Chance
|
Good fortune
|
English
|
|
|
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Chandler
|
Candle maker, seller
|
French
|
|
|
|
Channing
|
Young wolf; official of the church
|
French
|
|
|
|
Channon
|
Young wolf; official of the church
|
French
|
|
|
|
Charleston
|
Free peasant's settlement
|
English
|
|
|
|
Charlton
|
Free peasant's settlement
|
English
|
|
|
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Charnell
|
Burial Place
|
French
|
|
|
|
Charsian
|
Christian Free man
|
American
|
|
|
What names are similar to Charles?
Find a name that’s like Charles, but just a little bit different.
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin |
Popularity |
Other Gender |
|
Daniel
|
God is My Judge
|
Hebrew
|
|
|
|
David
|
Beloved
|
Hebrew
|
|
|
|
Eric
|
Everlasting ruler
|
Scandinavian
|
|
|
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Henry
|
Home ruler
|
English
|
|
|
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John
|
God is gracious
|
Hebrew
|
|
|
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Louis
|
Famous warrior
|
French
|
|
|
Lists With Charles
Find inspiration in these baby boy name lists featuring the name Charles.
Siblings of Charles
Mamas with kids named Charles also have kids with these names.
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin |
Popularity |
Other Gender |
|
Henry
|
Home ruler
|
English
|
|
|
|
Carson
|
Son of Carr
|
Scottish
|
|
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