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Charity Girl

Popularity: #855 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationCHAIR-i-tee / /ˈtʃɛrɪti/

English; Latin

Meaning

English: benevolence; Latin: charity, love

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Charity is derived from the Latin word "caritas," which translates to "dear," "beloved," or "affectionate." This Latin term evolved from the earlier Greek word "agape," which denotes a form of love that is selfless and unconditional. The transition from Greek to Latin occurred as Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire, with the term "caritas" being used in early Christian texts to describe the love of God and the love of one's neighbor. The name entered the English language through Old French, where it was adopted as "charité," before becoming established in Middle English as "charite." This linguistic journey reflects the deep-rooted Christian values associated with the name.

Charity has significant historical milestones, particularly in Christian contexts. It is often associated with the theological virtue of charity, which is one of the three theological virtues in Christian doctrine, alongside faith and hope. The name appears in various religious texts and was notably referenced in the King James Bible, published in 1611, where it is used to describe the highest form of love. Throughout the centuries, the name has been borne by various saints and notable figures, further embedding it within the Christian tradition. In the 17th century, the name gained popularity among English Puritans, who valued its moral implications and associations with benevolence and philanthropy.

Culturally, the name Charity embodies ideals of generosity, kindness, and altruism, resonating with the Christian call to love and serve others. It has been used in various literary works and has appeared in the names of charitable organizations, reinforcing its association with goodwill and humanitarian efforts. The name also has diminutive forms, such as Char, which have emerged in different contexts. Overall, Charity carries a rich historical and cultural significance, reflecting enduring values of compassion and selflessness.

Trend Summary

Charity has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable rise in the late 20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Charitie
  • Charitye

International Variants

  • Caridad (Spanish)
  • Charité (French)

Famous people named Charity

Charity Wakefield is an actress best known for The Other Boleyn Girl, The Player, and The Pursuit of Love.

Charity Sunshine Tillemann-Dick is a singer and author best known for her memoir and performances in the operatic genre.

Fictional characters named Charity

Charity is a fictional character from the novel The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. She is a kind-hearted girl who befriends Mary Lennox and helps her discover the beauty of the garden.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Charity was first seen in the United States in 1880. Charity has ranked as high as #340 nationally, which occurred in 1975, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, and Georgia. In the past 5 years the name Charity has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Charity (2024)

StateBirthsShare
VA 7
30%
TX 6
26%
GA 5
22%
PA 5
22%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188029
188122
188230
188329
188431
188521
188638
188740
188847
188936
189053
189137
189235
189331
189441
189540
189639
189743
189850
189931
190044
190134
190234
190332
190444
190546
190653
190747
190850
190932
191044
191146
191255
191368
191459
191575
191679
191773
191875
191984
192063
192157
192257
192353
192470
192562
192651
192766
192853
192941
193041
193147
193248
193324
193430
193546
193634
193733
193840
193942
194042
194144
194242
194351
194439
194536
194649
194752
194848
194953
195055
195154
195250
195356
195438
195544
195657
195759
195851
195955
196070
1961106
196281
196377
196474
196586
196699
196794
1968115
1969234
1970342
1971342
1972583
1973957
19741,410
19751,420
19761,205
19771,195
19781,067
19791,197
19801,061
1981964
1982859
1983813
1984790
1985912
1986856
1987741
1988648
1989568
1990536
1991553
1992485
1993515
1994484
1995495
1996490
1997464
1998476
1999482
2000608
2001574
2002544
2003534
2004508
2005424
2006435
2007439
2008369
2009316
2010315
2011310
2012276
2013261
2014247
2015206
2016197
2017197
2018189
2019184
2020145
2021134
2022118
2023118
202495