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{{About|the given name|the family name|Charles (surname)|other uses|Charles (disambiguation)}} {{About|the given name|the family name|Charles (surname)|other uses|Charles (disambiguation)}}
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{{Infobox given name {{Infobox given name
| name = Charles | name = Charles
| variant forms = ], ], Carlo, ], ] | variant forms = ], ], ], ], ]
| image= Charlemagne_and_Pope_Adrian_I.jpg | image= Charlemagne_and_Pope_Adrian_I.jpg
| imagesize= | imagesize=
| caption= King ] (742–814) of the Franks | caption= King ] (742–814) of the Franks
| pronunciation= {{IPAc-en|tʃ|ɑr|l|z}}<br>{{IPA-fr|ʃaʁl|lang}} | pronunciation= {{IPAc-en|tʃ|ɑr|l|z}}<br>{{IPA|fr|ʃaʁl|lang}}
| gender = Male | gender = Male
| meaning = Free man | meaning = "Free man"
| name day = November 4 | name day = November 4
| region = | region =
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Some Germanic languages, for example ] and ], have retained the word in two separate senses. In the particular case of Dutch, ''Karel'' refers to the ], whereas the noun ''kerel'' means "a bloke, fellow, man".{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} Some Germanic languages, for example ] and ], have retained the word in two separate senses. In the particular case of Dutch, ''Karel'' refers to the ], whereas the noun ''kerel'' means "a bloke, fellow, man".{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}


In the form ''Charles'', the initial spelling ''ch-'' corresponds to the ] of the Latin group ''ca-'' to in Central Old French (]) and the final ''-s'' to the former subjective case (cas sujet) of ] names in ] like in ] or ] (< Latin ''-us'', see Spanish/ Portuguese ''Carlos''). In the form ''Charles'', the initial spelling ''ch-'' corresponds to the ] of the Latin group ''ca-'' to in Central Old French (]) and the final ''-s'' to the former subjective case (cas sujet) of ] names in ] like in ] or ] (< Latin ''-us'', see Spanish/ Portuguese ''Carlos'').


According to ], the historical linguist and ], the root meaning of Charles is "old man", from ] *], where the ĝ is a ], meaning "to rub; to be old; grain." An old man has been worn away and is now grey with age.{{clarify|date=April 2018}}<ref>{{cite book | first=Julius | last=Pokorny |author2=G. Starotsin |author3=A. Lubotsky | title=Proto-Indo-European Etymological Dictionary: a Revised Edition of Julius Pokorny's Indogermanicshes Etymologisches Wörterbuch | year=2007 | publisher=Indo-European Language Association | pages=1192–1193}}</ref> According to ], the historical linguist and ], the root meaning of Charles is "old man", from ] *], where the ĝ is a ], meaning "to rub; to be old; grain." An old man has been worn away and is now grey with age.{{clarify|date=April 2018}}<ref>{{cite book | first=Julius | last=Pokorny |author2=G. Starotsin |author3=A. Lubotsky | title=Proto-Indo-European Etymological Dictionary: a Revised Edition of Julius Pokorny's Indogermanicshes Etymologisches Wörterbuch | year=2007 | publisher=Indo-European Language Association | pages=1192–1193}}</ref>
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===Early Middle Ages=== ===Early Middle Ages===
The name is atypical for ]s as it is not composed of two elements, but simply a noun meaning "(free) man". This meaning of ''ceorl'' contrasts with '']'' (Old Norse ''jarl'') "nobleman" on one hand and with ''þeow'' (Old Norse '']'') "bondsman, slave" on the other. As such it would not seem a likely candidate for the name of a ], but it is attested as such with ] (fl. 620), the first Mercian king mentioned by ] in his '']''. It is a peculiarity of the ] that many of the rulers of the earliest period (6th to 7th centuries) have monothematic (simplex) names, while the standard dithematic (compounded) names become almost universal from the 8th century. Compare the name of king ] (7th century) which simply translates to "mule". The name is atypical for ]s as it is not composed of two elements, but simply a noun meaning "(free) man". This meaning of ''ceorl'' contrasts with '']'' (Old Norse ''jarl'') "nobleman" on one hand and with ''þeow'' (Old Norse '']'') "bondsman, slave" on the other. As such it would not seem a likely candidate for the name of a ], but it is attested as such with ] ({{floruit|620}}), the first Mercian king mentioned by ] in his '']''. It is a peculiarity of the ] that many of the rulers of the earliest period (6th to 7th centuries) have monothematic (simplex) names, while the standard dithematic (compounded) names become almost universal from the 8th century. Compare the name of King ] (7th century) which simply translates to "mule".


] (686–741) was an illegitimate son of ], and therefore indeed a "free man", but not of noble rank. After his victory at the ], Charles Martel styled himself ]. Charles' eldest son was named ] (c. 710&ndash;754), a rare example of the element ''carl-'' occurring in a compound name. ], the son of ] and ], was either illegitimate or the product of a bigamous marriage, and therefore indeed a "free man", but not of noble rank. After his victory at the ], Charles Martel styled himself ]. Charles' eldest son was named ] ({{circa|710}}{{snd}}754), a rare example of the element ''carl-'' occurring in a compound name.
The '']'' names an earlier ''Carloman'' as the father of ], and thus the great-great-grandfather of the Charles Martel. This would place the name ''Carloman'' in the 6th century, and open the possibility that the Frankish name ''Carl'' may originate as a short form of ''Carloman''. The only other compound name with the ''Carl-'' prefix is ''Carlofred'' (''Carlefred''), attested in the 7th century; as a suffix, it occurs in the rare names ''Altcarl'' and ''Gundecarl'' (9th and 11th centuries, respectively).<ref>E. Förstemann, Altdeutsches Namenbuch (1856), s.v. 'Carl' (303).</ref> The '']'' names an earlier ''Carloman'' as the father of ], and thus the great-great-grandfather of the Charles Martel. This would place the name ''Carloman'' in the 6th century, and open the possibility that the Frankish name ''Carl'' may originate as a short form of ''Carloman''. The only other compound name with the ''Carl-'' prefix is ''Carlofred'' (''Carlefred''), attested in the 7th century; as a suffix, it occurs in the rare names ''Altcarl'' and ''Gundecarl'' (9th and 11th centuries, respectively).<ref>E. Förstemann, Altdeutsches Namenbuch (1856), s.v. 'Carl' (303).</ref>


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] (1842–1876) was a scout in the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment who was killed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. ] (1842–1876) was a scout in the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment who was killed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.


''Carl'' has been a very popular male given name in the United States during the late 19th to early 20th centuries, consistently ranking in the top 30 male given names in the US from 1887 to 1938, and remaining among the top 100 until the 1980s, but since declining below rank 500. ''Charles'' has always been among the top 100 names in the U.S. since records started in 1880.<ref>{{cite web|title=Charles|url=https://www.behindthename.com/name/charles/top/united-states|website=Behind the Name|access-date=16 February 2023}}</ref> In addition, it is among the top 100 names given in England and Wales; the current ] and the other Commonwealth realms, ], is a notable bearer of the name. ''Carl'' has been a very popular male given name in the United States during the late 19th to early 20th centuries, consistently ranking in the top 30 male given names in the US from 1887 to 1938, and remaining among the top 100 until the 1980s, but since declining below rank 500. ''Charles'' has always been among the top 100 names in the U.S. since records started in 1880.<ref>{{cite web|title=Charles|url=https://www.behindthename.com/name/charles/top/united-states|website=Behind the Name|access-date=16 February 2023}}</ref> In addition, it is among the top 100 names given in England and Wales; the current ] and the other Commonwealth realms, ], is a notable bearer of the name. In 2022, it was the 26th most popular name given to boys in Canada.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1710014701|title=Table 17-10-0147-01 First names at birth by sex at birth, selected indicators (Number)|website=Statistics Canada|access-date=2024-08-25}}</ref>


==Derived feminine names== ==Derived feminine names==
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Regional forms: Regional forms:
** Carolina (Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Bulgarian) ** Carolina (Italian, Indonesian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Bulgarian)
** Caroline (English, French, Swedish, Danish, Dutch) ** Caroline (English, French, Indonesian, Swedish, Danish, Dutch)
** ] (English) ** ] (English)
** Carlijn (Dutch) ** Carlijn (Dutch)
** Karoliina (Finnish) ** Karoliina (Finnish)
** ] (Bulgarian, Polish, Swedish) ** ] (Bulgarian, Indonesian, Polish, Swedish)
** Karolína (Czech) ** Karolína (Czech)
** Karoline (Danish, Norwegian, Swedish) ** Karoline (Danish, Indonesian, Norwegian, Swedish)
** Karolina (Каролина) (Russian) ** Karolina (Каролина) (Russian)
** Keraleyn (קעראַליין) (Yiddish) ** Keraleyn (קעראַליין) (Yiddish)
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* ] * ]
** Charla (English) ** Charla (English)
** Karla (Bulgarian, German, Scandinavian, Serbian, Czech, Croatian) ** Karla (Bulgarian, German, Indonesian, Scandinavian, Serbian, Czech, Croatian)
** Карла (Bulgarian, Russian, Serbian) ** Карла (Bulgarian, Russian, Serbian)
* ], Charlène * ], Charlène
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!Language !Language
!Formal name !Formal name
!Informal name !]
|- |-
|] || Կարլոս (Karlos) || |] || Կարլոս (Karlos) ||
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|] || ] || |] || ] ||
|- |-
|] || Charles || ], ], Chaz, Chad, Chip |] || Charles || ], ], Chucky, Chaz/Chas, Chad, Chip
|- |-
|] ||], Kaarli, Kaaro, ] || |] ||], Kaarli, Kaaro, ] ||
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|- |-
|] || Karl || |] || Karl ||
⚫ |-
|] || Charles, Carolus ||
|- |-
|] || Carlus, Séarlas, Cathal || |] || Carlus, Séarlas, Cathal ||
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! Name ! Name
! Description ! Description
|-
|]|| Cuban composer and pianist
|- |-
|]|| French poet |]|| French poet
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|Charles ] |Charles ]
|Children's author who wrote ] |Children's author who wrote ]
|-
|]
|American newspaper editor, founder of ]
|- |-
|]|| Swiss screenwriter, dramatist and playwright |]|| Swiss screenwriter, dramatist and playwright
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|- |-
|]|| American photographer known for taking '']'' |]|| American photographer known for taking '']''
|-
|]|| American author, editor and publisher
|- |-
|]|| Canadian poet |]|| Canadian poet
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|- |-
|]|| American animator |]|| American animator
⚫ |-
⚫ |]|| American actor known for playing the voice as ] and other characters
|- |-
|]|| wildlife artist, known for prehistoric restorations |]|| wildlife artist, known for prehistoric restorations
|-
|]|| English artist and art therapist
|-
|] (1862-1936), American illustrator, newspaper cartoonist, and artist
|-
|]|| English soldier and painter

|-
⚫ |]|| American actor known for playing the voice as ] and other characters
|- |-
|]|| Canadian-American artist |]|| Canadian-American artist

|- |-
|]|| creator of the comic strip '']'' |]|| creator of the comic strip '']''
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|- |-
|]||American professional wrestler |]||American professional wrestler
|-
|]||South African paralympic swimmer
|- |-
|]|| NFL and CFL player |]|| NFL and CFL player
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|- |-
|]|| American football player |]|| American football player
|-
|]|| American football player
|- |-
|]|| multiple people |]|| multiple people
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|- |-
|] || American basketball player |] || American basketball player
|-
|]||South African darts player
|- |-
|]|| early Major League Baseball pitcher |]|| early Major League Baseball pitcher
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|- |-
|]|| British political activist and militant atheist, founder of the ] |]|| British political activist and militant atheist, founder of the ]
|-
|]|| ]
|- |-
|]|| last living signer of the ] (died 1832) |]|| last living signer of the ] (died 1832)
|-
⚫ |]
⚫ |Zambian politician
|- |-
|]|| U.S. ]'s Chief Counsel, involved in the ] |]|| U.S. ]'s Chief Counsel, involved in the ]
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|- |-
|]|| Canadian politician |]|| Canadian politician
|-
|]|| American lawyer and politician
|- |-
|]|| Australian politician |]|| Australian politician
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|]|| Pennsylvania delegate to ]; refused to sign Declaration of Independence due to his ] beliefs |]|| Pennsylvania delegate to ]; refused to sign Declaration of Independence due to his ] beliefs
|- |-
|] |]|| American politician
|-
⚫ |British politician
|]|| British politician
|-
|]|| Canadian politician
|- |-
|]|| former U.S. ambassador to Latvia |]|| former U.S. ambassador to Latvia
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|- |-
|] (1922–2010)|| American politician |] (1922–2010)|| American politician
|-
|] (1806–1872)|| American politician
|- |-
|]|| former ] |]|| former ]
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In the context of English and British history, "Saint Charles" is typically ], recognized as a saint in the Anglican confession only. In the context of English and British history, "Saint Charles" is typically ], recognized as a saint in the Anglican confession only.
In Roman Catholicism, the best known Saint Charles is ] (1538–1584), an Italian cardinal, canonized by ] in 1606. In Roman Catholicism, the best known Saint Charles is ] (1538–1584), an Italian cardinal, canonized by ] in 1606.
] (1319–1364) had been canonized after his death, but ] annulled this. ] (d. 1127) is sometimes referred to as a saint, but while he was beatified in 1904, he has not been canonized. ] (1319–1364) had been canonized after his death, but ] annulled this. ] (died 1127) is sometimes referred to as a saint, but while he was beatified in 1904, he has not been canonized.


Other Saints of the Roman Catholic Church, canonized after 1900: Other Saints of the Roman Catholic Church, canonized after 1900:
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Beatified: Beatified:
*1867: Blessed ] (1564–1622), Genoese nobleman *1867: Blessed ] (1564–1622), Genoese nobleman
*2004: Blessed ] (1887-1922), last emperor of ], king of ], ], etc. *2004: Blessed ] (1887–1922), last emperor of ], king of ], ], etc


==== Church leaders ==== ==== Church leaders ====
*] (1707–1788), co-founder of the Methodist movement and writer of thousands of hymns *] (1707–1788), co-founder of the Methodist movement and writer of thousands of hymns
*] (1792–1875), a leader of the Second Great Awakening in America *] (1792–1875), a leader of the Second Great Awakening in America
*] (1701-1770), British cleric and antiquarian
*] (1832–1925), leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints *] (1832–1925), leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
*] (1834–1892), Reformed Baptist preacher *] (1834–1892), Reformed Baptist preacher
*] (1866–1961), ] ] and founder of the ] *] (1866–1961), ] ] and founder of the ]
*] (1891-1979), American Catholic priest *] (1891–1979), American Catholic priest
*] (1912-1990), member of the ] *] (1912–1990), member of the ]


===Nobility=== ===Nobility===
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*] (1863–1908), second to last King of Portugal and Algarves from 1889 to 1908 *] (1863–1908), second to last King of Portugal and Algarves from 1889 to 1908
*] (1887–1922), Emperor of Austria *] (1887–1922), Emperor of Austria
*] (1893-1853), eldest son of Ferdinand I *] (1893–1853), eldest son of Ferdinand I
*] (1826–1872), king of Sweden, the eldest son of King Oscar I and Josephine of Leuchtenberg *] (1826–1872), king of Sweden, the eldest son of King Oscar I and Josephine of Leuchtenberg
*] (1903–1983), second son of King Albert I of Belgium and Queen Elizabeth *] (1903–1983), second son of King Albert I of Belgium and Queen Elizabeth
*] (1909–1953) *] (1909–1953)
*] (1930–2010) *] (1930–2010)
*] (b. 1938), former King of Spain *] (born 1938), former King of Spain
*] (b. 1948), eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh *] (born 1948), eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh


===Scientists=== ===Scientists===
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|- |-
|]|| astronomer who proved the existence of black holes |]|| astronomer who proved the existence of black holes
|-
|]|| American engineering professor
|- |-
|] || American mathematician |] || American mathematician
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|- |-
|]|| Scottish scientist, founder of modern geology |]|| Scottish scientist, founder of modern geology
|-
|]
|American meteorologist
|- |-
|]|| American obstetrician |]|| American obstetrician
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|- |-
|]|| American chemist, mathematician, philosopher, |]|| American chemist, mathematician, philosopher,
|-
|]|| American endocrinologist and laryngologist
|- |-
|] || American mathematician |] || American mathematician
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|- |-
|]|| Scottish physicist |]|| Scottish physicist
|-
|]
|Taiwanese behavioral economist
|} |}


===Other=== ===Other===
;Architecture ;Architecture
*] (died 1981), Irish labourer
*], designer of the rebuilt Palace of Westminster *], designer of the rebuilt Palace of Westminster
*], his son *], his son
*] (1875-1952), African American architect from Richmond, Virginia *] (1875–1952), African American architect from Richmond, Virginia


;Aviation and Aerospace ;Aviation and Aerospace
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*], founder of Bethlehem Steel *], founder of Bethlehem Steel
*], stock-broker and founder of the Charles Schwab Corporation *], stock-broker and founder of the Charles Schwab Corporation
*] (born 1954), American businessman
*] (1897–1984), American businessman, art collector and patron *] (1897–1984), American businessman, art collector and patron


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*], American man convicted of murder *], American man convicted of murder
*], American mass murderer and family annihilator *], American mass murderer and family annihilator
*], American cult leader, convicted murder conspirator *] (1934–2017), American cult leader, convicted murder conspirator
*], American serial killer *], American serial killer
*], Italian-American con-man, gave name to Ponzi scheme *], Italian-American con-man, gave name to Ponzi scheme
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==Fictional characters== ==Fictional characters==
* Charles Baker, the older brother in ], played by ]
* ], a character in the American television series ''Gossip Girl'' * ], a character in the American television series ''Gossip Girl''
* ] or Helena Handbasket, ]'s father in TV show '']''
* ], a character in '']''
* Charles "Charlie" Bucket, title name character in '']''
* Charles Cooper, ]'s brother in ] and ]
* Charles Deetz, a character in the 1988 American fantasy comedy movie '']'' * Charles Deetz, a character in the 1988 American fantasy comedy movie '']''
* ], a character in the American television series ''Better Call Saul'' * ], a character in the American television series ''Better Call Saul''
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* ], a character in the animated television series ''The Simpsons'' * ], a character in the animated television series ''The Simpsons''
* Charles, the main character in the American sitcom television series '']'' * Charles, the main character in the American sitcom television series '']''
* ], also known as Psycho-Pirate, a DC Comics character
* Charles James, the twins's grandfather in ]
* Dr. Charles Lowell, a character in the American sitcom television series '']'' * Dr. Charles Lowell, a character in the American sitcom television series '']''
* Charles Spencer, a boy who was killed in the Sokovia events in '']''
⚫ * Major Charles Emerson Winchester III , a character in the TV series ]
* Charles Weasley, in J. K. Rowling's '']''
⚫ * Major Charles Emerson Winchester III, a character in the TV series ]
* Charles Winthrop, a character in '']''
* ], also known as Professor X, founder of the ]


==Other uses of the name== ==Other uses of the name==
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*] *]
*] *]
⚫ *]
*] *]
*] *]

Latest revision as of 17:19, 2 January 2025

This article is about the given name. For the family name, see Charles (surname). For other uses, see Charles (disambiguation).

Charles
King Charlemagne (742–814) of the Franks
Pronunciation/tʃɑːrlz/
French: [ʃaʁl]
GenderMale
Name dayNovember 4
Origin
Word/nameFrench, from Germanic
Meaning"Free man"
Other names
Variant form(s)Carl, Karl, Carlo, Carlos, Carolus
Related namesFeminine: Caroline, Charlotte, Charlene

Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English and French speaking countries. It is from the French form Charles of the Proto-Germanic name ᚲᚨᚱᛁᛚᚨᛉ (in runic alphabet) or *karilaz (in Latin alphabet), whose meaning was "free man". The Old English descendant of this word was Ċearl or Ċeorl, as the name of King Cearl of Mercia, that disappeared after the Norman conquest of England.

The name was notably borne by Charlemagne (Charles the Great), and was at the time Latinized as Karolus (as in Vita Karoli Magni), later also as Carolus.

Etymology

The name's etymology is a Common Germanic noun *karilaz meaning "free man", which survives in English as churl (< Old English ċeorl), which developed its deprecating sense in the Middle English period.

Some Germanic languages, for example Dutch and German, have retained the word in two separate senses. In the particular case of Dutch, Karel refers to the given name, whereas the noun kerel means "a bloke, fellow, man".

In the form Charles, the initial spelling ch- corresponds to the palatalization of the Latin group ca- to in Central Old French (Francien) and the final -s to the former subjective case (cas sujet) of masculine names in Old French like in Giles or James (< Latin -us, see Spanish/ Portuguese Carlos).

According to Julius Pokorny, the historical linguist and Indo-Europeanist, the root meaning of Charles is "old man", from Indo-European *ĝer-, where the ĝ is a palatal consonant, meaning "to rub; to be old; grain." An old man has been worn away and is now grey with age.

In some Slavic languages, the name Drago (and variants: Dragomir, Dragoslav, etc., all based on the root drag 'dear') has been used as an equivalent for Charles (Karel, etc.). This is based on the false etymology deriving Carl from Latin carus 'dear'. Examples are the Slovene politician Karel Dežman (1821–1889), also known as Dragotin Dežman, and the Slovene historian Dragotin Lončar (1876–1954), baptized Carl.

History

Early Middle Ages

The name is atypical for Germanic names as it is not composed of two elements, but simply a noun meaning "(free) man". This meaning of ceorl contrasts with eorl (Old Norse jarl) "nobleman" on one hand and with þeow (Old Norse þræll) "bondsman, slave" on the other. As such it would not seem a likely candidate for the name of a Germanic king, but it is attested as such with Cearl of Mercia (fl. 620), the first Mercian king mentioned by Bede in his Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum. It is a peculiarity of the Anglo-Saxon royal names that many of the rulers of the earliest period (6th to 7th centuries) have monothematic (simplex) names, while the standard dithematic (compounded) names become almost universal from the 8th century. Compare the name of King Mul of Kent (7th century) which simply translates to "mule".

Charles Martel, the son of Pepin of Herstal and Alpaida, was either illegitimate or the product of a bigamous marriage, and therefore indeed a "free man", but not of noble rank. After his victory at the Battle of Soissons (718), Charles Martel styled himself Duke of the Franks. Charles' eldest son was named Carloman (c. 710 – 754), a rare example of the element carl- occurring in a compound name. The Chronicle of Fredegar names an earlier Carloman as the father of Pepin of Landen, and thus the great-great-grandfather of the Charles Martel. This would place the name Carloman in the 6th century, and open the possibility that the Frankish name Carl may originate as a short form of Carloman. The only other compound name with the Carl- prefix is Carlofred (Carlefred), attested in the 7th century; as a suffix, it occurs in the rare names Altcarl and Gundecarl (9th and 11th centuries, respectively).

Charlemagne (742–814) was Charles Martel's grandson. After Charlemagne's reign, the name became irrevocably connected with him and his Carolingian dynasty. After Charlemagne, the name Charles (Karol) became even the standard word for "king" in Slavic (Czech and Slovak král, Polish król; South Slavic kral крал, krȃlj краљ; Russian король), Baltic (Latvian karalis, Lithuanian karalius) and Hungarian (király).

Charlemagne's son Charles the Younger died without issue, but the name resurfaces repeatedly within the 9th-century Carolingian family tree, so with Charles the Bald (823–877), Charles the Fat (839–888) Charles of Provence (845–863), Charles the Child (847/848–866) and Charles the Simple (879–929).

Later Middle Ages and Early Modern history

The name survives into the High Middle Ages (Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine; Charles, Count of Valois; Charles I, Count of Flanders (Charles the Good, beatified in 1882); Charles I of Naples; Charles I of Hungary). Karl Sverkersson was a king of Sweden in the 12th century, counted as "Charles VII" due to a genealogical fiction of the 17th century by Charles "IX", but actually the first king of Sweden with this name.

Charles resurfaces as a royal name in Germany with Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor (1316–1378, counted as "the fourth" after Charlemagne, Charles the Bald and Charles the Fat) and in France with Charles IV of France (1294–1328, "the fourth" after Charlemagne, Charles the Bald and Charles the Simple), and becomes comparatively widespread in the Late Middle Ages (Charles I, Duke of Savoy, Charles III, Duke of Savoy).

Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (1500–1558) gives rise to a tradition of Charlses in Habsburg Spain (Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor, Charles II of Spain, Charles III of Spain, Charles IV of Spain).

The numbering scheme for the kings of Sweden was continued in modern times with Charles X, Charles XI, Charles XII, Charles XIII, Charles XIV and Charles XV.

Charles I of England (1600–1649) is followed by Charles II of England (1630–1685). The Province of Carolina is named during the rule of Charles II, after Charles I.

Charles III Philip, Elector Palatine (1661–1742).

Modern history

Carlism is a political movement in Spain seeking the establishment of a separate line of the Bourbon family on the Spanish throne. This line descended from Infante Carlos, Count of Molina (1788–1855), and was founded due to dispute over the succession laws and widespread dissatisfaction with the Alfonsine line of the House of Bourbon. The movement was at its strongest in the 1830s, causing the Carlist Wars, and had a revival following Spain's defeat in the Spanish–American War in 1898, and lasted until the end of the Franco regime in 1975 as a social and political force

Charles Floyd (1782–1804) was the only casualty in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Charles DeRudio (1832–1910) was an Italian aristocrat, would-be assassin of Napoleon III, and later a career U.S. Army officer who fought in the 7th U.S. Cavalry at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Charles Albert Varnum (1849–1936) was the commander of the scouts in the Little Bighorn Campaign and received the Medal of Honor for his actions in a conflict following the Battle of Wounded Knee. "Lonesome" Charley Reynolds (1842–1876) was a scout in the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment who was killed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Carl has been a very popular male given name in the United States during the late 19th to early 20th centuries, consistently ranking in the top 30 male given names in the US from 1887 to 1938, and remaining among the top 100 until the 1980s, but since declining below rank 500. Charles has always been among the top 100 names in the U.S. since records started in 1880. In addition, it is among the top 100 names given in England and Wales; the current King of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms, Charles III, is a notable bearer of the name. In 2022, it was the 26th most popular name given to boys in Canada.

Derived feminine names

Caroline and Charlotte are feminine given names derived from Carl.

Charlotte is late medieval, e.g. Charlotte of Savoy (1441–1483), Charlotte of Cyprus (1444–1487). It was introduced to Britain in the 17th century, and gave rise to hypocorisms such as Lottie, Tottie, Totty.

Caroline is early modern, e.g. Caroline of Ansbach (1683–1737). It has given rise to numerous variations, such as Carlyn, Carolina, Carolyn, Karolyn, Carolin, Karolina, Karoline, Karolina, Carolien, as well as hypocorisms, such as Callie, Carol, Carrie, etc.

Another derived feminine name is Carla (Bulgarian, Catalan, Dutch, English, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish), a name which dates from early Italy.

Regional forms:

    • Carolina (Italian, Indonesian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Bulgarian)
    • Caroline (English, French, Indonesian, Swedish, Danish, Dutch)
    • Carolyn (English)
    • Carlijn (Dutch)
    • Karoliina (Finnish)
    • Karolina (Bulgarian, Indonesian, Polish, Swedish)
    • Karolína (Czech)
    • Karoline (Danish, Indonesian, Norwegian, Swedish)
    • Karolina (Каролина) (Russian)
    • Keraleyn (קעראַליין) (Yiddish)
    • Carly (American)
    • Carol (English)
  • Carola (German, Swedish)
    • Carole (English, French, Portuguese)
    • Karol (קאַראָל) (Yiddish)
    • Kyārōla (क्यारोल) (Nepali)
    • Kerol (Керол) (Serbian), (Russian)
  • Charlotte (English, French, German, Swedish, Danish, Dutch)
    • Carlota (Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan)
    • Carlotta (Italian)
    • Charlotta (Swedish)
  • Carla
    • Charla (English)
    • Karla (Bulgarian, German, Indonesian, Scandinavian, Serbian, Czech, Croatian)
    • Карла (Bulgarian, Russian, Serbian)
  • Charlene (given name), Charlène

Regional forms of the name

Language Formal name Informal name
Armenian Կարլոս (Karlos)
Basque Karlos
Bulgarian Карл (Karl)
Belarusian Чарльз (Čarĺz)
Catalan Carles
Chinese 查尔斯 (simplified), 查爾斯 (traditional) (Chá'ěrsī)
Croatian Karlo
Czech Karel
Danish Karl, Carl
Dutch Karel
English Charles Charlie/Charley, Chuck, Chucky, Chaz/Chas, Chad, Chip
Estonian Kaarel, Kaarli, Kaaro, Kalle
Faroese Karl
Finnish Kaarlo, Kaarle, Kalle, Karl
French Charles Charlot
German Karl, Carl
Georgian კარლო (Karlo)
Greek Κάρολος (Károlos)
Hungarian Károly Karcsi
Hawaiian Kale
Icelandic Karl
Indonesian Charles, Carolus
Irish Carlus, Séarlas, Cathal
Italian Carlo
Japanese チャールズ (Chāruzu)
Korean 찰스 (chalseu)
Latin Carolus
Latvian Kārlis
Limburgish Sjarel
Lithuanian Karolis
Norwegian Karl, Carl
Polish Karol
Portuguese Carlos Carlinhos
Romanian Carol
Russian Карл (Karl)
Scottish Gaelic Teàrlach
Serbian Карло (Karlo)
Slovak Karol
Slovene Karel
Spanish Carlos Carlito, Carlitos, Caloy (Philippines)
Swedish Karl, Carl, Kalle
Welsh Siarl

List of notable people

Media, arts and entertainment

In literature
Name Description
Charles Abreu Cuban composer and pianist
Charles Baudelaire French poet
Charles Bukowski American poet and novelist
Charles Dickens English novelist
Charles Dodgson (pen-name Lewis Carroll) English clergyman, writer and mathematician
Charles Edwards Canadian journalist and news agency executive
Charles Henri Ford American poet, photographer and writer
Charles Fort American writer and researcher into anomalous phenomena
Charles L. Grant American science-fiction author
Charles Roger Hargreaves Children's author who wrote the Mr. Men and Little Miss series.
Charles "Sis Doc" Richardson American newspaper editor, founder of Chi Omega
Charles Lewinsky Swiss screenwriter, dramatist and playwright
Charles Lummis American journalist, poet, historian; founder of the Southwest Museum
Charles Mayer Canadian journalist, sportsperson and politician
Charles Olson American poet
Charles O'Rear American photographer known for taking Bliss
Charles Jacobs Peterson American author, editor and publisher
Charles G.D. Roberts Canadian poet
Charles Webb (author) American author of The Graduate
In music
Name Description
Charles Aznavour French-Armenian singer
Chuck Berry American guitarist, singer, and composer
Charlie Daniels American country music figure
Charles Gavin Brazilian rock drummer/producer
Charlie Haden American Jazz bassist and composer
Charles Ives American composer
Chuck Mangione American jazz artist
Charles Mingus American Jazz bassist and composer
Charles E. Moody American gospel songwriter and performer
Charlie Parker American Jazz saxophonist
Charlie Simpson British musician and singer
Charles Davis Tillman (1861–1943) pioneer of southern gospel music
Charlie Watts English drummer for the rock group The Rolling Stones
In film
Name Description
Charles Bowers American cartoonist and early filmmaker
Charles Boyer French-American actor
Charles Bronson American actor
Sebastian Cabot (born Charles Sebastian Thomas Cabot) English actor
Charlie Chaplin English comedy actor, famous for silent film acting
Charley Chase American silent film comedian and writer
Charles Dance English actor
Charles Durning American actor
Charles Gray English actor
Charles Grodin American actor and cable talk show host
Charles Herbert American child actor of the '50s and '60s
Charlton Heston (born John Charles Carter) American actor
Lionel Jeffries (born Lionel Charles Jeffries) English actor
Charles Laughton English actor
Chas Licciardello Australian comedian and a member of The Chaser
Charles Stanton Ogle silent film actor
Charles Nelson Reilly American comic actor and game show regular
Charles Reisner American actor and film director
In television
Name Description
Charles Gibson American television journalist
Charles Kuralt American television journalist
Charlie Rose American host of a television interview show
In visual arts
Name Description
Charles Addams American cartoonist known for his particularly black humor and macabre characters
Charles Dellschau Prussian-American outsider artist
Charles Eyck Dutch visual artist
Chuck Jones American animator
Charles R. Knight wildlife artist, known for prehistoric restorations
Charles Lutyens English artist and art therapist
Charles Chandler Reese (1862-1936), American illustrator, newspaper cartoonist, and artist
Charles Augustus Henry Lutyens English soldier and painter
Charles Martinet American actor known for playing the voice as Mario and other characters
Charles Prendergast Canadian-American artist
Charles Schulz creator of the comic strip Peanuts
Other areas of media, arts and entertainment
Name Description
Charles White (YouTuber) American YouTuber and Twitch streamer

Athletes

Name Description
Charlie Austin English footballer
Charles Aránguiz Chilean professional footballer
Charles Barkley former NBA forward and a current NBA color commentator for TNT
Chuck Bednarik NFL player, 1967, Philadelphia Eagles
Charles Betts American professional wrestler
Charl Bouwer South African paralympic swimmer
Charles Cornelius NFL and CFL player
Charles Daniels (1885–1973) American freestyle swimmer
Charley Diamond American football player
Charlie Fleming Scottish footballer
Charles "Buckets" Goldenberg American All-Pro football player
Charles Green (disambiguation) multiple people
Charles Harris American football player
Chuck Hayes American basketball player who currently plays for the Houston Rockets
Charles Horton American football player
Charles Jagusah American football player
Charles Jenkins (disambiguation) multiple people
Charles Leclerc Monégasque racing driver
Charles Lefrançois Canadian high jumper
Charlie McCarthy Irish hurler
Charles Myer American major league baseball All Star second baseman
Charles Oakley American basketball forward
Charles O'Bannon American basketball player
Charl Pietersen (darts player) South African darts player
Charles Radbourn early Major League Baseball pitcher
Charles Ramsdell Malagasy athlete
Charlie Reiter American professional soccer player
Charles Fernando Basílio da Silva Brazilian midfielder
Charles Sifford first African American golfer to play in a PGA tour
Charles Washington American football player

In politics

Name Description
Charles "Bubba" Chaney Louisiana politician
Charles Francis Adams Sr. American congressman and ambassador, grandson of John Adams
Charles Edward Bennett Democratic U.S. Congressman from Florida
Charles Bent first Governor of New Mexico Territory, assassinated in 1847
Charles Joseph Bonaparte former U. S. Attorney General
Charles Bradlaugh British political activist and militant atheist, founder of the National Secular Society
Charles Q. Brown Jr. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Charles Carroll of Carrollton last living signer of the U.S. Declaration of Independence (died 1832)
Charles Chanda Zambian politician
Charles Colson U.S. Richard Nixon's Chief Counsel, involved in the Watergate scandal
Charles Magill Conrad former American Secretary of War
Charles Edward Bandaranaike Corea Sri Lankan Sinhala lawyer
Charles Curtis 31st American Vice President, under Herbert Hoover
Charles G. Dawes 30th American Vice President, under Calvin Coolidge
Charles Devens former U.S. Attorney General
Charles de Gaulle French military leader and statesman
Charles Edward Perry de Silva Sri Lankan Sinhala lawyer and politician
Charles Percival de Silva Sri Lankan civil servant and politician
Charles de Silva Batuwantudawe Sri Lankan Sinhala lawyer and politician
Charles Edirisuriya Sri Lankan Sinhala Member of Parliament for Hambanthota
Charlie Elphicke British politician
James Charles Evers civil rights activist, older brother of Medgar Evers
Charles W. Fairbanks 26th American Vice President, under Theodore Roosevelt
Charles Hubert Zaleski Fernando Sri Lankan Sinhala businessman, lawyer, and member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon
Charles Matthew Fernando Sri Lankan Sinhala lawyer and scholar, first Sri Lankan Crown Counsel
Charles A. Ford American diplomat
Charles Gibbs Canadian politician
Charles J. M. Gwinn American lawyer and politician
Charles Harper Australian politician
Charles Alwis Hewavitharana Sri Lankan Sinhala independence activist
Charles Evans Hughes former U.S. Secretary of State
Charles Humphreys Pennsylvania delegate to Continental Congress; refused to sign Declaration of Independence due to his Quaker beliefs
Charles Y. Kaneshiro American politician
Charles Kennedy British politician
Charles Lapointe Canadian politician
Chuck Larson former U.S. ambassador to Latvia
Charles Lee former U. S. Attorney General
Charles Ambrose Lorensz Sri Lankan Burgher lawyer, legislator, and journalist
Charles Mathias (1922–2010) American politician
Charles Naylor (1806–1872) American politician
Karolos Papoulias former President of Greece
Charles Stewart Parnell Irish political leader
Charles Sheedy West Virginian politician
Charles Pasqua French businessman and politician
Charles Pearson former Solicitor for The City of London and early railway advocate
Chuck Robb former Governor of Virginia and U.S. Senator
Charlie Rose American congressman (Democrat from N.C.)
Charles Scott Governor of Kentucky; also George Washington's Chief of Intelligence during the American Revolution
Charles Harding Smith Irish politician
Charles G. Taylor former President of Liberia
Charles Thomson secretary of the Continental Congress
Charles Townsend British politician
Charles Wilson Texas congressman, subject of 2007 movie Charlie Wilson's War

In religion

Saints

There are a number of historical figures known as "Saint Charles", although few are recognized across confessions. In the context of English and British history, "Saint Charles" is typically Charles I of England, recognized as a saint in the Anglican confession only. In Roman Catholicism, the best known Saint Charles is Charles Borromeo (1538–1584), an Italian cardinal, canonized by Pope Paul V in 1606. Charles, Duke of Brittany (1319–1364) had been canonized after his death, but Pope Gregory XI annulled this. Charles the Good (died 1127) is sometimes referred to as a saint, but while he was beatified in 1904, he has not been canonized.

Other Saints of the Roman Catholic Church, canonized after 1900:

Beatified:

Church leaders

Nobility

See #History above for medieval and early modern royalty and nobility. This section lists noblemen born after 1700.
Further information: Charles I (disambiguation), Charles II (disambiguation), Charles III (disambiguation), Charles IV (disambiguation), Charles V (disambiguation), Charles VI (disambiguation), Charles VII (disambiguation), Charles VIII (disambiguation), Charles IX (disambiguation), and Carlism

Scientists

Name Description
Charles Babbage English mathematician, philosopher, mechanical engineer and computer scientist
Charles L. Bennett American astrophysicist
Charles Thomas Bolton astronomer who proved the existence of black holes
Charles Bouman American engineering professor
Charles W. Curtis American mathematician
Charles Darwin British naturalist
Charles Dawson English archaeologist, involved in the Piltdown Man hoax
Charles Dupin French mathematician, engineer, economist, and politician
Charles Ehresmann French mathematician
Charles Fleming (ornithologist) New Zealand ornithologist
Charles Godakumbura Sri Lankan Sinhala archaeologist
Charles Hermite French mathematician
Charles Thomas Jackson American geologist
Charles T. Kowal American astronomer, discoverer of Chiron and 2 moons of Jupiter
Charles Newton Little American mathematician and civil engineer
Charles Lyell Scottish scientist, founder of modern geology
Charles F. Marvin American meteorologist
Charles Delucena Meigs American obstetrician
Charles Karsner Mills American neurologist
Charles Wright Mills American sociologist
Charles Sanders Peirce American chemist, mathematician, philosopher,
Charles E. de M. Sajous American endocrinologist and laryngologist
Charles Sims (mathematician) American mathematician
Charles Hazelius Sternberg American fossil collector, involved in the Bone Wars
Charles Mortram Sternberg son of above, also a fossil collector and paleontologist
Charles Tilly American sociologist
Charles Doolittle Walcott American paleontologist and Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution
Charles E. Wyman Chair of the Ford Motor Company and professor of chemistry
Charles Thomson Rees Wilson Scottish physicist
Charles M. C. Lee Taiwanese behavioral economist

Other

Architecture
Aviation and Aerospace
  • Charles Lindbergh, first person to fly solo non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean
  • Chuck Yeager, American test pilot and first man to break the sound barrier
Entrepreneurs and businessmen
Military personnel
  • Charles Upham, most-decorated Commonwealth serviceman of World War Two
Criminals

Fictional characters

Other uses of the name

See also

References

  1. "Charles". Name-doctor.com. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  2. T. F. Hoad, English Etymology, Oxford University Press, 1993 (ISBN 0-19-283098-8). p. 76.
  3. Pokorny, Julius; G. Starotsin; A. Lubotsky (2007). Proto-Indo-European Etymological Dictionary: a Revised Edition of Julius Pokorny's Indogermanicshes Etymologisches Wörterbuch. Indo-European Language Association. pp. 1192–1193.
  4. Keber, janez (1988). Leksikon imen. Celje: Mohorjeva družba. p. 152.
  5. Taufbuch. Brdo. 1862–1886. p. 34. Retrieved November 10, 2022.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. E. Förstemann, Altdeutsches Namenbuch (1856), s.v. 'Carl' (303).
  7. "Charles". Behind the Name. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  8. "Table 17-10-0147-01 First names at birth by sex at birth, selected indicators (Number)". Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  9. "Caroline". Behind the Name. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  10. "Charlotte". Behind the Name. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  11. Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006). "Caroline". Oxford Reference. Oxford. doi:10.1093/acref/9780198610601.001.0001. ISBN 978-0-19-861060-1. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  12. "Carla". Behind the Name. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
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