Charles Name Meaning & Origin
Charles
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.
From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman.
Looking for the perfect name? Try the Name MatchMaker to find the perfect baby name for you!
NameVoyager
US Popularity of Charles Over Time

Sister & Brother Names
Know a Charles? What are his siblings named?
Name Lists Featuring Charles
- Australian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Australia (New South Wales) 2014
- Australian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Australia (Victoria) 2014
- New Zealand Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in New Zealand 2014
- English and Welsh Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in England and Wales (2013)
- Canadian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Canada (Quebec) 2014
- Australian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Australia (New South Wales), 2010
- Australian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Australia (Victoria), 2010
- New Zealand Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in New Zealand, 2010
- Canadian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Canada (Quebec), 2010
- English and Welsh Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in England and Wales
- Canadian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Canada (Quebec) for 2012
- English Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in England
- Australian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Australia (New South Wales) for 2012
- Australian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Australia (Victoria) for 2012
- New Zealand Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in New Zealand for 2012
- French Boys Names: Most Popular Boys Names in France
- Canadian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Canada (Quebec)
- Australian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Australia (New South Wales)
- Australian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Australia (Victoria)
- New Zealand Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in New Zealand
- Australian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Australia (Queensland)
- English Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in England
Contribute your knowledge to the name Charles
- Comments and insights on the name Charles
- Personal experiences with the name Charles
My Granddad was called Charles, he always went by Charlie. I think it's a good name as it can be anything you want it to be with by using nicknames. I think it goes nicely with Alexander as a middle name.
I read the comment above, and I agree. Charles is the best name I can think of because, like said above, it can be almost anything with nicknames. I agree that it goes great with Alexander, and I have always thought it goes fantastic with Joseph as a middle name. Charles is so SEXY, SMART, FREINDLY, PERFECT, AMAZING, FANTASTICALICIOUS, AND THE BEST KISSER EVER. EVEN BETTER THAN DANTE.
- Nicknames for Charles
Charlie, Char, Chuck, Chip, Chaz, Chas, Chucky, Cal, Chase, Chuckles, Chez
- Meanings and history of the name Charles
Charles comes from the German name Karl. Charles means Strong Man, Soldier, Farmer, and Man.
- Famous real-life people named Charles
Charles Addams - American cartoonist
Charles Dickens - English writer
Charles Dodgson (A.K.A. Lewis Carol) - English writer
Charles Gibbs - American pirate
Charles Gibson - American news anchor and journalist
Charles Lindbergh - American pilot
Charles Manson - American cult leader
Charles Martinet - American voice actor
Charles Ponzi - Italian businessman and conman
Charles M. Schulz - American cartoonist
Charles de Gaulle - former French president
Charles Darwin
HRH Prince Charles Philip Arthur George of Wales- Charles in song, story & screen
Charles Xavier from X-Men
Charles "Chuck" Bass from Gossip Girl
Charles Augustus Magnussen from BBC’s Sherlock
Charles Ingalls from The Little House series
Charles "Charlie" Carpenter from The Little House series
Charles Emerson Winchester III from M*A*S*H (TV show)
Charles “Charlie” Brown from the Peanuts comic strip by Charles Schultz
Charles “Charlie” Calvin from The Santa Clause movie series