Charles: Meaning, Popularity, Origin of Baby Name Charles | Boys

Charles

Pronunciation: CHAHRLZ (key)

Origin of the name Charles:

Charles is derived from the Germanic karl (full-grown, a man), which is a cognate of the Old English ceorl (a man, freeman, peasant). It is a royal name, being borne by ten kings of France as well as by kings of Hungary, Naples, Sardinia, and Wüttemberg. It was introduced to Great Britain by Mary, Queen of Scots (1542 - 87), who bestowed it upon her son, Charles James (1566- 1625). His son and grandson both rules as King Charles, furthering the name's popularity.

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US Popularity of Charles Over Time

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Comments and insights on the name Charles: | Edit
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Personal experiences with the name Charles: | Edit

My Father's name is Charles, he is a successful artist, very friendly and brilliant as well.

My grandfather's name was Charles. He was a very respected captain in the Navy, funny, sweet, and the most intelligent man I've ever known.

Nicknames for Charles: | Edit

Charlie, Charley, Chuck, Cal, Chas, Chaz, Chuckie, Chip, Chazzer, Char-Lie, Lee, Karch, Arlo

Meanings and history of the name Charles: | Edit
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Famous real-life people named Charles: | Edit

Charles Addams, American cartoonist
Charles Barkley, American basketball player
Charles Bukowski, American poet and novelist
Charles de Gaulle, French statesman
Charles Eames, American modern architect and furniture designer
Charles Krauthammer, American columnist
Charles Lindbergh, American pilot
Charles Schulz, American cartoonist
Charles Schwab, American financier
Charles Windsor, Prince of Wales

Charles in song, story & screen: | Edit

Charles in Charge, American TV sitcom.
Charlie Brown, character from the Peanuts comic strip.
Charles Foster Kane, character from the Orson Welles' film Citizen Kane.
Charlie McCarthy, Edgar Bergen's 'partner' in his ventriloquism act.
Charlie Bucket, title character in Roald Dahl's novel, "Charlie and The Chocolate Factory."
Chuck E Cheese, American pizza chain and mouse mascot.
Charles "Pa" Ingalls, father of author Laura Ingalls Wilder.
"Vera, Chuck and Dave," the three "grandchildren on our knees" mentioned in the Beatles song "When I'm 64"
Charles Bingley, the easily persuaded but very good friend of Mr. Darcy in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
Charles Ryder, protagonist of Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited.
Charles "Chuckie" Finster, toddler on "The Rugrats"
Charles "Chuck" Bass from "Gossip Girl"
Charles Emerson Winchester III from the "M*A*S*H" tv series (seasons 6-11)
Charles Francis Xavier, Professor X of the X-Men (Marvel Comics character)
Charles Hamilton, Melanie's brother and Scarlett's first husband in "Gone with the Wind"
Charles Gunn from "Angel the Series"
Charles Beckendorf, from the "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" by Rick Riodan
Charlie Weasley, character in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Charles "Chuck" Bartowski, from the TV series "Chuck"
Charles Cornick, character in the Alpha and Omega urban fantasy series by Patricia Briggs

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83
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Smart?

64
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Sexy?

70
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Friendly?

63
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Creative?

79
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Strong?

53
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Young?

79
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Sophisticated?

NameMapper

Current Popularity of Charles by State

Global Popularity of the Name Charles

  • #24 in Canada (Quebec)
  • #52 in England
  • #63 in United States
  • #64 in Australia (Victoria)
  • #73 in Australia (New South Wales)
  • #83 in Ireland
  • #84 in Canada (British Columbia)
  • #102 in Scotland
  • #137 in Canada (Alberta)