Charles is a name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German word "karl," which means "free man" or "strong." It has been widely used throughout history and has been borne by many notable figures in various countries.
The name Charles first gained prominence during the Middle Ages through the House of Charlemagne. Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, was the ruler of the Frankish Empire from 768 to 814 AD. He is considered one of the most influential European rulers of his time and is credited with expanding the empire's territories and promoting learning and culture throughout his reign.
The name Charles continued to be popular among European royalty in subsequent centuries, including figures such as Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor from 1519 to 1556, and Charles I of England, who ruled from 1625 until his execution in 1649. In more recent times, the name has been carried by several members of British royalty, including King Charles III, who ascended to the throne in September 2022 following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
In addition to its popularity among royalty, the name Charles has also been widely used as a given name throughout history. It has been borne by famous individuals such as Charles Darwin, the British naturalist and biologist who formulated the theory of evolution through natural selection; Charles Dickens, the renowned English novelist known for works like "Oliver Twist" and "A Tale of Two Cities"; and Charlie Chaplin, the iconic silent film actor and filmmaker.
Overall, the name Charles has a rich history and significant cultural impact throughout Europe and beyond. Its origins in Germanic culture and its widespread use among royalty have contributed to its enduring popularity as a given name for boys.
The statistics provided show the annual number of babies named Charles born in the United States between 1954 and 1988. Over this period, there was a total of 197 babies named Charles.
During these years, the popularity of the name Charles varied from year to year. The highest numbers of births were recorded in 1982 with 12 babies named Charles and in 1973 with 11 babies named Charles. Conversely, some years saw only a handful of babies receiving this name: as few as five in 1954, 1955, 1966, and 1978.
Despite fluctuations in popularity, the name Charles remained consistently present throughout these decades. This suggests that it has been considered a classic and enduring choice for parents naming their sons during this period. However, without more recent data or comparison with other names, we cannot determine how the popularity of the name Charles has evolved over time.