Charles Boy

Popularity: #48 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: CHAR-lz //tʃɑrlz//

Origin: French; Germanic

Meaning: French: free man; Germanic: strong, manly

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Charles has its roots in the Germanic name Karl, which is derived from the Old High German word "karal," meaning "man" or "free man." This name was adopted into Latin as "Carolus," which became the basis for the name in various languages, including French, where it evolved into "Charles." The name entered the English language through the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, becoming widely used in England thereafter. Historically, the name Charles has been borne by numerous significant figures, including Charlemagne (Charles the Great), who was crowned Emperor of the Romans in 800 AD and played a crucial role in the Carolingian Renaissance.

The name also appears in the English royal lineage, notably with Charles I, who reigned from 1625 to 1649 and was executed during the English Civil War, and Charles II, who restored the monarchy in 1660 after a period of republican rule. Additionally, the name is associated with various saints, including Saint Charles Borromeo, a prominent figure in the Counter-Reformation during the 16th century.

Culturally, the name Charles has been linked to notions of nobility and leadership, often symbolizing strength and authority. It has been a popular choice among European royalty and nobility, reinforcing its status as a name of significance.

The diminutive form "Charlie" has also emerged, reflecting a more familiar and affectionate usage, although its historical prominence is less pronounced. Overall, the name Charles carries a rich heritage, embodying both historical weight and cultural resonance across various societies.

Famous people named Charles

In this section, you will find notable people named Charles. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Charles who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Charles who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Charles Dickens is a novelist best known for A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, and Oliver Twist.

Charles Darwin is a naturalist best known for his contributions to the theory of evolution and the book On the Origin of Species.

Charles Chaplin is an actor and filmmaker best known for The Kid, City Lights, and Modern Times.

Charles Bronson is an actor best known for The Magnificent Seven, Death Wish, and The Great Escape.

Charles Schulz is a cartoonist best known for creating the Peanuts comic strip.

Charles Lindbergh is an aviator best known for making the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight.

Charles Babbage is a mathematician and inventor best known for conceptualizing the first mechanical computer, the Analytical Engine.

Charles Aznavour is a singer and songwriter best known for La Bohème, Comme ils disent, and For Mama.

Charles Ives is a composer best known for his innovative works such as Symphony No. 2 and The Unanswered Question.

Charles Mingus is a jazz musician and composer best known for his works like Mingus Ah Um and The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady.

Charles R. Drew is a physician and medical researcher best known for his work on blood transfusions and blood banks.

Charles Durning is an actor best known for his roles in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Dog Day Afternoon, and To Be or Not to Be.

Charles Trenet is a singer and songwriter best known for his songs Douce France and La Mer.

Charles S. Dutton is an actor and director best known for his roles in Roc, Alien 3, and The Piano Lesson.

Charles Nelson Reilly is an actor and comedian best known for his work on The Match Game and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.

Fictional characters named Charles

The following list of fictional characters named Charles is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Charles Xavier is a fictional character from the comic book series X-Men. He is the founder of the X-Men and a powerful telepath who advocates for peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants.

Charles Dickens is a fictional character from the novel A Christmas Carol. He is a famous author who appears as a character in various adaptations of his own works, often embodying themes of redemption and social justice.

Charles Lee Ray is a fictional character from the Child's Play film series. He is a serial killer who transfers his soul into a doll, becoming the infamous Chucky.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Charles, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

WilliamJamesHenryEdwardGeorgeThomasRichard

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Charles. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

CarlCharlieChadCharlesonCharltonCyrusChesterCameron

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Charles was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Charles has ranked as high as #13 nationally, which occurred in 1947, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Charles has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Charles is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Charles was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Charles.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 5,908 5,898 10
2024 5,621 5,613 8
2023 5,430 5,421 9
2022 5,943 5,934 9
2021 6,015 6,010 5
2020 6,262 6,249 13
2019 6,415 6,406 9
2018 6,680 6,667 13
2017 7,205 7,193 12
2016 7,144 7,127 17
2015 7,213 7,204 9
2014 7,377 7,362 15
2013 7,040 7,025 15
2012 6,962 6,947 15
2011 6,996 6,987 9
2010 7,114 7,106 8
2009 7,284 7,284 0
2008 7,307 7,288 19
2007 7,464 7,452 12
2006 8,027 8,013 14
2005 7,949 7,933 16
2004 7,706 7,652 54
2003 7,704 7,696 8
2002 7,215 7,208 7
2001 7,300 7,283 17
2000 7,539 7,525 14
1999 7,536 7,525 11
1998 7,860 7,849 11
1997 7,671 7,656 15
1996 8,267 8,248 19
1995 8,500 8,478 22
1994 9,037 9,018 19
1993 9,883 9,855 28
1992 10,501 10,469 32
1991 11,370 11,336 34
1990 12,042 12,000 42
1989 12,305 12,245 60
1988 12,200 12,109 91
1987 12,255 12,173 82
1986 12,710 12,625 85
1985 13,006 12,900 106
1984 13,054 12,942 112
1983 13,333 13,212 121
1982 14,434 14,310 124
1981 14,529 14,427 102
1980 15,075 14,959 116
1979 14,936 14,806 130
1978 14,962 14,844 118
1977 14,831 14,743 88
1976 14,027 13,921 106
1975 14,703 14,574 129
1974 15,253 15,151 102
1973 15,869 15,752 117
1972 17,090 16,968 122
1971 19,997 19,851 146
1970 22,559 22,411 148
1969 21,793 21,658 135
1968 21,705 21,575 130
1967 21,410 21,288 122
1966 22,383 22,252 131
1965 23,626 23,494 132
1964 26,037 25,908 129
1963 26,898 26,762 136
1962 27,712 27,590 122
1961 29,314 29,194 120
1960 29,809 29,677 132
1959 30,947 30,797 150
1958 32,371 32,242 129
1957 34,435 34,283 152
1956 35,395 35,239 156
1955 35,513 35,365 148
1954 37,589 37,463 126
1953 38,559 38,421 138
1952 38,987 38,866 121
1951 39,557 39,406 151
1950 39,249 39,095 154
1949 40,195 40,052 143
1948 38,826 38,676 150
1947 40,919 40,781 138
1946 38,349 38,215 134
1945 32,594 32,469 125
1944 34,804 34,662 142
1943 36,808 36,632 176
1942 36,017 35,854 163
1941 32,897 32,742 155
1940 31,829 31,689 140
1939 30,938 30,789 149
1938 31,295 31,151 144
1937 30,696 30,520 176
1936 29,234 29,101 133
1935 30,132 29,983 149
1934 29,958 29,790 168
1933 29,200 28,991 209
1932 31,289 31,092 197
1931 30,146 29,934 212
1930 32,104 31,867 237
1929 30,192 29,930 262
1928 31,514 31,243 271
1927 32,244 31,941 303
1926 29,746 29,521 225
1925 29,796 29,580 216
1924 30,646 30,460 186
1923 29,125 28,966 159
1922 29,038 28,839 199
1921 29,418 29,242 176
1920 28,472 28,309 163
1919 25,321 25,192 129
1918 27,065 26,921 144
1917 24,267 24,143 124
1916 23,735 23,612 123
1915 22,061 21,960 101
1914 17,012 16,937 75
1913 13,240 13,191 49
1912 11,137 11,070 67
1911 5,765 5,725 40
1910 4,816 4,784 32
1909 4,058 4,029 29
1908 3,959 3,929 30
1907 3,904 3,884 20
1906 3,631 3,607 24
1905 3,630 3,608 22
1904 3,430 3,406 24
1903 3,232 3,213 19
1902 3,386 3,361 25
1901 3,072 3,049 23
1900 4,126 4,098 28
1899 3,170 3,147 23
1898 3,576 3,557 19
1897 3,361 3,341 20
1896 3,649 3,639 10
1895 3,660 3,633 27
1894 3,814 3,788 26
1893 3,746 3,723 23
1892 4,348 4,319 29
1891 3,669 3,640 29
1890 4,091 4,061 30
1889 4,227 4,199 28
1888 4,619 4,591 28
1887 4,064 4,031 33
1886 4,555 4,533 22
1885 4,623 4,599 24
1884 4,821 4,802 19
1883 4,844 4,826 18
1882 5,114 5,091 23
1881 4,653 4,636 17
1880 5,359 5,348 11

Top States for Charles (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 415
7%
CA 406
7%
NY 300
5%
FL 239
4%
NC 235
4%
IL 235
4%
OH 226
4%
MA 224
4%
GA 223
4%
PA 210
4%
VA 184
3%
TN 180
3%
MI 172
3%
NJ 159
3%
MO 147
3%
WA 131
2%
IN 127
2%
AL 119
2%
MN 116
2%
SC 113
2%
CO 110
2%
WI 108
2%
KY 96
2%
MD 92
2%
CT 83
1%
LA 79
1%
UT 78
1%
AZ 78
1%
MS 67
1%
KS 62
1%
OR 62
1%
OK 59
1%
IA 50
1%
NE 40
1%
AR 38
1%
NH 37
1%
ID 35
1%
WV 27
0%
DC 25
0%
NV 25
0%
ME 25
0%
DE 24
0%
RI 22
0%
SD 20
0%
NM 17
0%
MT 14
0%
VT 14
0%
AK 13
0%
HI 12
0%
ND 12
0%
WY 8
0%