Charles

Boy name variations

Family name origins & meanings

French, Welsh, and English: from the French form of the Germanic personal name Carl "man" (which was Latinized as Carolus). In France the personal name was popular from an early date, due to the fame of the Emperor Charlemagne (?742–814; Latin name Carolus Magnus, i.e. Charles the Great). The Old French form Charles was briefly introduced to England by the Normans, but was rare during the main period of surname formation. It was introduced more successfully to Scotland in the 16th century by the Stuarts, who had strong ties with France, and was brought by them to England in the 17th century. Its frequency as a Welsh surname is attributable to the late date of Welsh surname formation. Old English Ceorl "peasant" is also found as a byname, but the resulting Middle English form, Charl, with a patronymic in -s, if it existed at all, would have been absorbed by the French form introduced by the Normans. Compare Carl. English variants pronounced with initial k- for the most part reflect the cognate Old Norse personal name Karl, Karli.

Swedish: ornamental form of a Frenchified form of the Old Norse personal name Karl.

American: this name was brought independently to North America from England by numerous different bearers from the 17th century onward. John Charles was one of the free planters who assented to the "Fundamental Agreement" of the New Haven Colony on June 4, 1639.

Famous people with this first name

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Charles in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

• Charles Xavier from X-Men - A powerful telepath and leader of the X-Men.
• Charles Dickens from Doctor Who - A historical figure portrayed in the show as encountering the Doctor.
• Charles Boyle from Brooklyn Nine-Nine - A quirky and loyal detective in the comedy series.
• Charles 'Chuck' Bass from Gossip Girl - A wealthy and scheming character in the drama series.
• Charles Darnay from A Tale of Two Cities - A protagonist caught between two worlds during the French Revolution.

Popularity of the Name Charles

According to Social Security Administration data, Charles has maintained a steady popularity over the years, often ranking within the top 50 names in the United States.

Historically, Charles began as a royal name, starting with Charlemagne, King of the Franks and Lombards and Roman Empires in the 8th and 9th centuries. The name Charles has been also borne by numerous notable figures, including Charles Darwin, the renowned naturalist and geologist, and Charles Dickens, the famous Victorian author known for his novels such as A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations. In the realm of fiction, Charles Xavier, also known as Professor X from the X-Men series, stands out as a significant character. Furthermore, the name has been popularized in modern times by actors such as Charlie Chaplin, who was a pioneer in the film industry, and Charles Dance, known for his roles in Game of Thrones and The Crown. Overall, Charles remains a classic and enduring choice for many parents.

Where Is the Name Charles Popular?

This name is most popular across certain states in the U.S., including those highlighted on the map below.

Nicknames for Charles

These shortened names can make great nicknames for your baby.

• Chad
• Charlie
• Chaz
• Chip
• Chuck

Charles Pairs Well With These Middle Names

Looking for a middle name that fits perfectly? Consider these!