Charles
Germanic boy's name meaning “free man”
- Gender
- Boy
- Origin
- Germanic
- Meaning
- free man
- Syllables
- 2
- Letters
- 7
- US rank (2023)
- #54
- Born in 2023
- 5,415
Meaning & origin
Charles comes from the Germanic Karl, 'free man'. It has been borne by emperors and kings from Charlemagne onward.
Popularity
In the latest US data, Charles ranked #54 for boys. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
In 2023, 5,415 US boys were given the name Charles.
US popularity rank over time
Peaked at #43 in 1993
“Unranked” means Charles was outside the US top 1,000 that year.
See more boy names starting with C.
Nicknames
Charlie, Chuck, Chas
Charles: frequently asked questions
What does the name Charles mean?
Charles is a Germanic name meaning "free man". Charles comes from the Germanic Karl, 'free man'. It has been borne by emperors and kings from Charlemagne onward.
Where does the name Charles come from?
Charles is of Germanic origin. Charles comes from the Germanic Karl, 'free man'. It has been borne by emperors and kings from Charlemagne onward.
Is Charles a boy or a girl name?
Charles is most commonly a boy's name.
How many babies are named Charles?
In 2023, 5,415 US boys were given the name Charles.
Is Charles a popular name, and is it rising or falling?
In the latest US data, Charles ranked #54 for boys. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
What are common nicknames for Charles?
Common nicknames for Charles include Charlie, Chuck, Chas.