Quick answerCharles is a male given name of Germanic origin. From the Germanic Karl, meaning 'man', commonly glossed as 'free man'. In the United States, it ranked number 51 for baby boys in 2024, according to the Social Security Administration. It is given to boys in the United States. Related forms include Karl and Charlie. A famous bearer is Charles Darwin.
Key facts
| Meaning | From the Germanic Karl, meaning 'man', commonly glossed as 'free man'. |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germanic |
| Gender | Male (boys) |
| Popularity (US) | #51 for baby boys in 2024 (U.S. Social Security Administration) |
| Variants | Karl, Charlie |
| Famous bearer | Charles Darwin |
Keep exploring
- Charles Darwin — a famous bearer of the name Charles
- Emma — another Germanic-origin name (#2 in 2024)
- Amelia — another Germanic-origin name (#3 in 2024)
- Henry — another Germanic-origin name (#6 in 2024)
- William — another Germanic-origin name (#10 in 2024)
- Albert — another Germanic-origin name (#606 in 2024)
- All names — the full list
Sources & last updated
- U.S. Social Security Administration — most popular baby names for 2024
- Behind the Name — meaning and origin
Popularity ranks are U.S. Social Security Administration figures for 2024; meanings and origins follow Behind the Name. See the names index for the full source notes.