Charles

Charles is an unisex name of Germanic origin with the meaning "From the Germanic word for a free man or man of the people.". Names from the Germanic tradition often carry deep cultural significance, reflecting heritage, values, or natural beauty. He has been used in Germanic communities for generations and has gained broader popularity as parents discover its beauty.

Charles has been used across Europe and other parts of the world. In the United States, SSA data shows the name's popularity trends going back to 1950. Check the chart above to see exactly how many babies were named Charles in each year, and whether its popularity has been rising, steady, or declining.

Common nicknames for Charles depend on its full form. Many parents choose Charles specifically because it has built-in short forms or pet names. Some names have no common nicknames and are used in their full form throughout life.

Charles is a name shared by people across all walks of life — from artists and athletes to scientists and public figures. The popularity of the name means it appears throughout history in nearly every era and culture. Search online for "Charles famous people" to discover notable figures who share this name.

Names similar to Charles share its cultural origin, style, or sound. If you love Charles, you might also like names from the same origin tradition, names with similar ending sounds, or names that share the same number of syllables.