BoyGermanic

Charles

Meaning: Free person

About Charles

Charles is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. Its most-cited short meaning is “Free person,” a sense that travels well across languages. Related spellings and variants include Charlie. Indicative pronunciation: CHARLZ. Popular note: Traditional classic. When considering Charles, check how it sounds with a surname, everyday nicknames, and spelling confusion across countries.

Origin

Germanic

Variants

Charlie

Pronunciation

CHARLZ

Popularity note

Traditional classic

FAQ — Charles

What does the name Charles mean?

Short meaning: Free person. See the long description above for cultural context.

What is the origin of Charles?

Most associated origin: Germanic.

Are there variants of Charles?

Related forms: Charlie.