Charles: Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity

Pronunciation: kha-hrle-hs
Origin: France
gender-male

Emmy Samtani

Emmy Samtani

Emmy is the founder of Kiindred and mother to 3 little ones. Over the last 4 years, she has worked with some of the most credible experts in the parenting space and is a keen contributor on all things parenthood.
Updated on Aug 14, 2024 · 2 mins read
Region Origin: Europe
Meaning: Free man

Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English and French-speaking countries. It is derived from the French form Charles of the Proto-Germanic name *karilaz, which means "free man". The name has been popular throughout history, with several kings bearing the name Charles, and many variants of the name exist, such as Carl, Carlos, Carol, and Charlotte. The origin of the name Charles can be traced back to the Germanic word "ceorl," which means "free man". The name has been used to distinguish a free person from a servant or slave in ancient times. An alternative theory suggests that the name is derived from the common Germanic name element *harjaz, meaning "army". The name Charles has been borne by numerous notable figures, including kings, emperors, and famous personalities such as Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, and Charles de Gaulle.

Charles Name Popularity Data

chat-overall Charles is currently #124 in the popularity of the name rankings.
gender-female Boy: Charles is currently #124 on Kiindred Boy Names
gender-male Overall Unique: Charles is currently #121 on Kiindred Unique Names
gender-male Boy Unique: Charles is currently #121 on Kiindred Boy Unique Names

Popularity Trend Chart

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Famous People Named Charles

This section lists notable individuals and public figures named Charles, showcasing their achievements and contributions in various fields.

  • Charles Darwin: Charles Darwin was an English naturalist, geologist, and biologist, best known for his contributions to the science of evolution and his book "On the Origin of Species." He passed away in 1882.
  • Charles Dickens: Charles Dickens was an English writer and social critic, known for his novels "A Tale of Two Cities," "Great Expectations," and "A Christmas Carol." He passed away in 1870.
  • Charles Xavier: Charles Xavier, also known as Professor X, is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe and the founder of the X-Men.
  • Charles M. Schulz: Charles M. Schulz was an American cartoonist, best known for creating the comic strip "Peanuts," featuring characters such as Charlie Brown and Snoopy. He passed away in 2000.
  • Charlie Chaplin: A legendary actor, director, and writer, famous for his silent film era performances and his iconic character, "The Tramp."

 

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