Charles
Charles is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Free man.
Origin and history
Charles is a classic masculine name derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning 'free man'. It has been a prominent royal name throughout European history, including among French, English, and Holy Roman rulers. In the United States, it has maintained enduring popularity, ranking as the 9th most common male name since 1880.
Popularity in the United States
2,434,659 babies in the United States have been named Charles since 1880. It ranks #9 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #50.
States where it is most popular
- NY (7 %)
- PA (7 %)
- TX (5.7 %)
- OH (5.5 %)
- IL (5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 46,656 |
| 1890-1900 | 36,848 |
| 1900-1910 | 36,184 |
| 1910-1920 | 173,535 |
| 1920-1930 | 298,031 |
| 1930-1940 | 303,218 |
| 1940-1950 | 361,772 |
| 1950-1960 | 361,177 |
| 1960-1970 | 249,398 |
| 1970-1980 | 163,021 |
| 1980-1990 | 131,902 |
| 1990-2000 | 92,434 |
| 2000-2010 | 75,334 |
| 2010-2019 | 70,024 |
| 2020-2029 | 35,125 |
Famous people named Charles
- Charles Darwin: Naturalist, Biologist
- Charles Dickens: Novelist, Writer
- Charles Barkley: Basketball Player, Sports Analyst
Nicknames
Charlie, Chuck, Chaz
Fun facts
- Charles ranks as the 9th most popular male given name in official U.S. birth records from 1880 to the present.
- The name has been borne by numerous European monarchs, notably Charlemagne (Charles the Great) and King Charles III of the United Kingdom.