Charles is a name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German words "hards" and "man," which together mean "strong" or "powerful." The name was introduced to France by Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, who was the King of the Franks in the late 8th and early 9th centuries. He is often referred to as one of the most important figures of the Middle Ages.
The name Charles has been popular throughout history among European royalty. It has been used by at least seven monarchs in France alone, including Charlemagne's descendant Charles V (1338-1380). In Britain, there have been four kings named Charles, with the most recent being King Charles III of the United Kingdom.
The name Charles is also associated with several notable figures throughout history. Charles Darwin was a British naturalist who is best known for his contributions to the science of evolution, while Charles Dickens was an English novelist and social critic whose works include "Oliver Twist" and "A Tale of Two Cities." In the field of music, there have been several composers named Charles, including Charles Ives (an American composer) and Charles Mingus (a jazz musician).
Overall, the name Charles has a rich history and strong association with power and strength. It is a popular choice for boys' names in many English-speaking countries.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Charles has seen a varied level of popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1915 and 1929, there was an average of 5 births per year with this name, with spikes to 6 births occurring in 1916, 1923, and 1931.
There was a noticeable decline in popularity from 1949 to 1957, with only 5 births per year on average. However, there was a resurgence in the mid-1950s to early 1960s, with peaks of 6 and 7 births annually.
The name's popularity continued to fluctuate throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with an average of 5 to 7 births per year. The most recent data point shows that in 1989, there were 5 births with the name Charles.
In total, over this 74-year span from 1915 to 1989, there were 134 births recorded with the name Charles in the United States. This demonstrates a consistent, albeit varying, level of popularity for the name across several decades.