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
- Peak year
- 1993 (#43)
Meaning & origin
Charles comes from the Germanic Karl, 'free man'. It has been borne by emperors and kings from Charlemagne onward.
Is Charles a German name?
Yes — Charles is a German name meaning "free man". Charles comes from the Germanic Karl, 'free man'. It has been borne by emperors and kings from Charlemagne onward. You may also see it described as Germanic, which refer to the same root.
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.
How to spell Charles
Charles is spelled C-H-A-R-L-E-S — 7 letters and 2 syllables.
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.
How do you spell Charles?
Charles is spelled C-H-A-R-L-E-S — 7 letters.
How common is the name Charles?
In 2023, 5,415 US boys were given the name Charles. In the latest US data, Charles ranked #54 for boys. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
Is Charles a German name?
Yes — Charles is a German name meaning "free man". Charles comes from the Germanic Karl, 'free man'. It has been borne by emperors and kings from Charlemagne onward. You may also see it described as Germanic, which refer to the same root.
What does Charles mean in German?
In German, Charles means "free man". Charles comes from the Germanic Karl, 'free man'. It has been borne by emperors and kings from Charlemagne onward.
Is Charles a Germanic name?
Charles is usually classified as German, and Germanic belongs to that same tradition — so yes, it is commonly described as Germanic too. It means "free man".