Charles

This post contains affiliate links.

At a Glance

Meaning
Free man
Origin
Germanic
Gender
Boy
Pronunciation
CHARLZ

Charles is a classic boy's name with Germanic roots, carrying the meaning "free man." It's pronounced CHARLZ, and it's kept a timeless, classic style throughout its long history in the U.S.

Meaning & Origin of Charles

Meaning: Free man.

Origin: Germanic.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Charles

CHARLZIPA /ˈtʃɑːrlz/

Popularity of Charles

Charles has been recorded by the SSA every year from 1880 to 2024, peaking at #4 in 1880 with 5,348 babies and now sitting at #51 in 2024 with 5,593 babies — a name that's held steady popularity across more than a century.

Names Like Charles

These names share Charles’s style, era or origin.

FAQ

What does the name Charles mean?

Free man. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Charles?

Charles is pronounced CHARLZ (IPA: /ˈtʃɑːrlz/).

Is Charles a popular name right now?

Charles peaked at #4 in 1880 and is ranked #51 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Charles Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Charles, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.

📊 How popular is Charles? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.

🎲 Think you know your baby names? Take the quiz!

📱 The Baby Names app is here

Swipe names, match with your partner the moment you both say yes, and claim a free Name Art print of your winner. Free to download. See all our apps →

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Recent Posts