Charles
Charles: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /t͡ʃɑɹlz/ · /t͡ʃɑ˞lz/
Meaning and origin of Charles
Root meaning: “free man”
- A male given name from the Germanic languages.
Etymology
From French Charles, from Old French Charles, Carles, from Latin Carolus, from and also reinfluenced by Frankish and Old High German Karl, from Proto-Germanic *karilaz (“free man”); compare the English word churl and the German Kerl. In reference to the Ecuadorian island, a clipping of the original name King Charles's Island, granted in honor of Charles II of England.
How popular is Charles?
Since 1880, 12,476 girls and 2,434,659 boys in the U.S. have been named Charles (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #373 in 1882. Its highest rank for boys was #4 in 1880. In 2025 it ranked #48 for boys, with 5,908 babies given the name.
Names similar to Charles
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Germanic boy names
Sibling name ideas for Charles
Sister and brother names that share Charles's Germanic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Charles FAQ
What does the name Charles mean?
Charles traces back to a root meaning "free man". A male given name from the Germanic languages. From French Charles, from Old French Charles, Carles, from Latin Carolus, from and also reinfluenced by Frankish and Old High German Karl, from Proto-Germanic *karilaz (“free man”); compare the English word churl and the German Kerl. In reference to the Ecuadorian island, a clipping of the original name King Charles's Island, granted in honor of Charles II of England.
What is the origin of the name Charles?
Charles is listed as a name of Germanic origin.
How popular is the name Charles?
Since 1880, 12,476 girls and 2,434,659 boys in the U.S. have been named Charles (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #373 in 1882. Its highest rank for boys was #4 in 1880. In 2025 it ranked #48 for boys, with 5,908 babies given the name.
Is Charles a boy or girl name?
Charles is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 12,476 girls and 2,434,659 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.