Charley
Charley is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Free man.
Origin and history
Charley is a traditional English diminutive of Charles, derived from Germanic roots meaning free man. While historically common as a standalone masculine name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it remains a familiar vintage alternative to Charlie.
Popularity in the United States
23,974 babies in the United States have been named Charley since 1880. It ranks #760 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1414.
States where it is most popular
- TX (13.4 %)
- OK (10.8 %)
- LA (8.6 %)
- AR (8.1 %)
- MS (8.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 2,550 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,755 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,633 |
| 1910-1920 | 3,530 |
| 1920-1930 | 3,984 |
| 1930-1940 | 2,423 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,852 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,414 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,021 |
| 1970-1980 | 727 |
| 1980-1990 | 625 |
| 1990-2000 | 440 |
| 2000-2010 | 631 |
| 2010-2019 | 865 |
| 2020-2029 | 524 |
Famous people named Charley
- Charley Pride: Singer, Musician
- Charley Hoffman: Golfer
Fun facts
- Charley was a top-100 masculine name in the United States during the late 19th century.
- The 'ey' spelling was traditionally the dominant diminutive ending in Britain and early America before 'ie' became more common.