Charley
Charley is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Free person.
Origin and history
Charley is traditionally a diminutive of Charles or Charlotte, deriving from a Germanic root meaning free person. While historically used as a masculine nickname, it has seen rising popularity as an independent feminine given name in recent years. In the United States, it offers a friendly, classic-meets-modern feel.
Popularity in the United States
11,347 babies in the United States have been named Charley since 1880. It ranks #1518 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #659.
States where it is most popular
- TX (10.2 %)
- CA (8.6 %)
- FL (5.1 %)
- NC (4.4 %)
- NY (4.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 12 |
| 1910-1920 | 79 |
| 1920-1930 | 153 |
| 1930-1940 | 131 |
| 1940-1950 | 102 |
| 1950-1960 | 52 |
| 1960-1970 | 11 |
| 1970-1980 | 75 |
| 1980-1990 | 388 |
| 1990-2000 | 655 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,728 |
| 2010-2019 | 5,369 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,592 |
Famous people named Charley
- Charley Webb: actress
Fun facts
- Originally a pet form for Charles, Charley has increasingly been adopted as a stand-alone given name for girls in the United States.
- It serves as an alternative spelling to the more common Charlie, giving parents a slightly distinct visual option.