Charles
Charles is a Christian boy name of Germanic, via French origin, meaning “Free man”.
| Meaning | Free man |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Germanic, via French |
| Pronunciation | CHARLZ |
| Tradition | Christian, Modern & Classic |
| Used in | Worldwide |
Meaning and origin of Charles
Charles comes from the Germanic word karl, which meant a man, especially a free man who was not a noble. It became a royal name through Charlemagne (Charles the Great), crowned emperor in 800, and spread through the ruling houses of France, Spain and Britain. Famous bearers include Charles Darwin and Charles Dickens, and King Charles III became the British monarch in 2022.
Is Charles a Christian name?
Charles is not a biblical name, but it has long been common in Christian Europe and is borne by saints such as Charles Borromeo.
How popular is Charles?
A classic name used throughout the English-speaking world and Europe, often shortened to Charlie.
Gifts with the name Charles
- Charles name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Charles baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Charles
Names similar to Charles
More Christian boy names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Charles mean?
Charles means 'Free man'. It is of Germanic, via French origin.
Is Charles a Christian name?
Charles is not a biblical name, but it has long been common in Christian Europe and is borne by saints such as Charles Borromeo.
How do you pronounce Charles?
Charles is pronounced CHARLZ.
Is Charles a boy or girl name?
Charles is usually a boy name.