Charles
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Free man; strong man
Origin: Old Germanic Karl — from carl (free man), the root of Carl, Karl, and Carlos
Popularity: Ranked #48 in 2025 with 5,898 babies born.
History: Charles is one of the great dynastic names of European history — borne by Charlemagne (Charles the Great), who united much of Western Europe in the 9th century, eleven kings of France, three kings of England, and the current King of the United Kingdom, Charles III. Charles Darwin revolutionized science. Charles Dickens transformed literature. Charlie Chaplin defined cinema. In America it was a top-5 name for most of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Charlie is its irresistibly warm nickname, making it feel equally at home in a palace or on a playground.
Famous people named Charles: Prince Charles/King Charles III, Charles Dickens (author), Charles Darwin (scientist), Ray Charles (musician)
Name length: 7 letters
How common is Charles? About 1 in 563 babies born in 2025 were named Charles, or roughly 16.2 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Charles
What does the name Charles mean?
Charles means “Free man; strong man” from Old Germanic Karl — from carl (free man), the root of Carl, Karl, and Carlos roots.
What is the origin of the name Charles?
Charles has Old Germanic Karl — from carl (free man), the root of Carl, Karl, and Carlos origin. The traditional meaning is “Free man; strong man”.
How popular is Charles?
Charles ranked #48 in 2025 — given to 5,898 babies that year.
When was Charles most popular?
Charles peaked in 1947 with 40,779 babies registered that year.
Is Charles a boy or girl name?
Charles is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Charless in registered births are male.
Is the name Charles rising or falling in popularity?
Charles has risen 7924 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #7972 in 2020 to #48 in 2025.
How long has Charles been recorded?
Charles appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.